[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2022]
Are you ever the victim of circumstances? Things happen to you that were not your fault, but you were inconvenienced, or worse, by them. Do you get annoyed and rant about the unfairness of life? Maybe someone did not clean up after their dog and you are raising a stink about it. Did the driver in front move off from the lights too slowly and now you are seeing red? Are you ever tempted to resort to language that would make a sailor blush?
It is not difficult to find Biblical examples of people who have been angered by actions or events that are outside their control.
Moses became angry when he saw how the Israelites had turned away from God during his absence on Mount Sinai, He was furious to the point where he lost his temper and destroyed the tablets of the law which God had prepared for him[1].
In the account of Jonah we read that the prophet became angry when the people of Nineveh repented and were spared the effects of their sin. Jonah had hoped that they would be destroyed but then, to cap it all, the plant that he was sheltering under died. God asked Jonah “Is it right for you to be angry?”[2]. We would do well to cultivate the practice of asking that of ourselves too.
Is it right for you to be angry? Sometimes the answer can be “Yes”.
Jesus became angry when he saw how a sacred area of the temple had been taken over by merchants and currency traders. Was his anger justified – yes. Did he lose his temper – no. He responded in a way that was both measured and appropriate to the circumstances[3].
Paul and Silas were going about their daily business in Philippi but they were becoming increasingly annoyed by a young fortune teller who followed them around. Eventually Paul had had enough and rebuked the evil spirit that was controlling her. Was his anger justified – yes. Did he lose his temper – no. He responded in a way that was both measured and appropriate to the circumstances[4].
In the majority of Biblical references to anger we are told that God became angry. Sometimes it was with people who were attacking the Israelites but often it was the Israelites themselves who incited the anger when they turned their back on him. Was his anger justified – yes. Did he lose his temper – no. On each occasion he responded in a way that was both measured and appropriate to the circumstances.
We live in a society where God has been neglected or treated with indifference. It is not always easy to remember that we too have done things that have inconvenienced other people, and we have to face their reactions. How can we ensure that our response is both measured and appropriate to the circumstances?
The apostle Paul wrote from his own experience when he offered the following guidelines:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5 v22-23 [NKJV]
To be at its best, fruit requires the regular attention of the gardener, repelling pests and encouraging growth – how does your garden grow?
[1] Exodus 32 v19
[2] Jonah 4 v4
[3] Mark 11 v15
[4] Acts 16 v18
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
