Directing Anger for Good

      Anger does not bring good feelings.  Usually, we hear about the evil caused by anger, but can good come from anger?  Do we let the anger control us?  Do we stop and pray about our anger?  Can we learn to direct our anger for good?  Questions.  Things I considered after reading "And, the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly" in I Samuel 11:6.  News of a threat issued by the Amorites to the men of Jabesh of the house of Israel caused Saul to become so angry that he took a yoke of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent messengers throughout the country with a threat: "if you don't come forward to Saul and Samuel, this is what will be done to your oxen."  (I Samuel 11:7)  The result was a army of 330,000 men.  The end result was victory over the Amorites and years of peace in the country.  Anger leading to a great army to protect them against defeat.  Anger directed for good.

     So, can good come from anger?  Yes.  The result is determined by how we respond with our anger.  I believe we should never use our anger to hurt another person.  Isn't pain and hurt the cause of our anger?  Responding to anger with hate and revenge only causes more problems.  In the case of Saul's anger, the Spirit of God was in control of the anger.  Saul was being lead by God.  The same can be true for us when we turn our anger over to God.  Reaching out in prayer to God helps me to see a situation differently, because by giving the situation to God, my eyes are opened to see the situation differently and consider how Jesus would respond to the situation.  By stepping back and praying, we can gain control of our anger and have the tools to direct our anger towards what is good and not revenge.

     Now, in the end, we can have all the tools to direct our anger for good.  I'm reminded by the words of the writer of James 3 how I can have the wisdom to direct my anger for good.  The first verses in James 3 is about controlling our thoughts and tongue.  You know what is in the heart will come out of the mouth. So, I need to stay in God's Word daily praying for understanding and wisdom which will shed us of jealousy and revenge leading to control of my anger.

James 3: 13-18 NKJ

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and [h]self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  



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