- a passionate response to injury
- an intense felling of the soul in the face of injustice and cruelty
- biblical: a strong emotional agitation that must be mastered
- personal: your souls’ negative response to pain
"Man’s anger does nto bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:20 NIV
Two Greek words are used for anger in the New Testament. The first is ‘thumos’ which is the healthier side of anger. It means ‘the soul’s response to pain, suffering and injustice’. It tends to be more seasonal and is usually tied to wrongdoing and ends when the condition which started it ends.
When Paul told believers to be angry but without sin, he was speaking of ‘thumos’. It can serve us well if handled positively. It is the second type of anger that is the dangerous one. It is ‘orge’ and contains more than just the feeling of anger. It describes what happens when unanswered anger is allowed to seep into the soul (our very heart) and build a fortress there. Wrongs are turned over again and again in our mind. The words and injury are rehearsed a thousand times. Revenge is the result. ‘Orge’ is a killer.
The English word for this anger comes from the Latin word which means to choke or strangle. Our word angina comes from it and implies the tightening of the heart. Should it surprise us that there is a connection between intense angers and heart conditions.
You may not resort to violence but this anger can diminish your life. You wind up living out you lesser self and your capacity for love and forgiveness is stifled. You grow hard, unfeeling and alone. Do you know people like that?
"Anger is a short madness." Horace
Today’s Readings
Morning Judges 8,9 Evening Luke 8:22-56
Today’s Wisdom
Become the most positive and optimistic person you know.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Today’s Humor
I’m a pessimistic optimist. I expect the worst – that way things can only get better.
Ninety two percent of cross-eyed teachers have difficulty controlling their pupils.
Tomorrow
We look at the apostle’s answer to anger and find a reason for hope.
Visited with Chris Voss who had half his hand severed at work. He is optimistic and moving forward to retraining and surgeries. Keep him and Jennifer in your prayers.
Michael
Intentional Faith 