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Anger can be livid and explosive. Anger does not discriminate. Good friends argue with each other and husbands and wives quarrel behind close doors (sometimes openly too!). Anger can boil into resentment, bitterness and vindictiveness. In Churches, some Christians express their anger at fellow Christians in the form of bitter gossip. They may even exude hostility and make snide remarks. There is no denying that the repercussions of anger can be powerful: While sticks and stones can break bones, words can pierce hearts. The Apostle Paul understood clearly that the words we use and the way we treat each another matter. When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he wanted to help them understand how they ought to treat each other and those in the community. Paul wanted them to embrace the sort of attitude that would lead to a real relationship with God and with each other. He made it clear that an unresolved and inappropriate anger can destroy the sense of community that was to define the young church.

Here it is instructive to see what Paul says about internalising anger. “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph. 4:26-27). In effect, Paul wants members to deal with anger and conflict promptly, as he does not want anger and conflict to become the seedbed of hatred. Jesus also instructs us about anger, with his command carrying a sense of urgency: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matt. 5:21-26).

The next time you want to confront someone angrily, think about the experience of Job and how he reacted to his pain and suffering. Job’s family and possessions were taken from him and he was afflicted with painful sores and lesions but he did not jump to his wife’s side when she invited him to curse God. “He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said” (Job 2:10). No anger at God at all, just acceptance.