Biblical Answer

Is it okay to feel angry?

Understanding Anger

Anger is a natural human emotion that can arise in response to perceived injustices, wrongs, or violations of one's rights or dignity. The Bible acknowledges that anger can be a righteous emotion when directed towards sin, injustice, or cruelty (Psalm 4:4, 7:4). In fact, Jesus himself became angry in the face of injustice and hypocrisy (John 2:13-16). The issue is not whether we feel angry, but rather how we express and direct our anger. The problem arises when anger is directed towards the wrong object, such as God, an innocent person, or a thing, or when it leads to wrong behavior, such as retaliation or physical violence.

The Heart of Anger

Anger reveals more about our own heart than it does about the circumstances that provoked it. When we are angry, it is often a sign that our rights or glory have been violated, rather than God's. This is why prayer can be a powerful tool in testing our hearts and revealing our anger. If we can meditate on the Lord's Prayer and make it our own, it is evidence that we are putting up a good fight against lingering anger. Anger can also be a mask for other emotions, such as depression or emptiness. Rather than suppressing or denying our anger, we should acknowledge it and seek to understand its root causes.

The Righteous Expression of Anger

While anger in itself is not inherently wrong, its expression and direction are crucial. We should strive to express our anger in a way that imitates God's character, such as by advocating for justice and standing up against cruelty. This means being angry at the right things, for the right reasons, and in a way that honors God. As Scripture says, "Be angry, and yet do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent" (Psalm 4:4). By acknowledging and directing our anger in a righteous way, we can avoid the pitfalls of anger and instead use it as a catalyst for spiritual growth and transformation.