I think of "leashing" our anger, because I don't believe it is possible to live without anger. Anger is a cat that can't be killed. It can only be controlled. Where there are people we are going to have anger. Most of this emotion is turned toward people, not things. We get mad at others and we get mad at ourselves.
Anger is dangerous, for when we are mad we believe two wrongs make a right. We have the silly thought that getting even is possible, and even preferable. It's easy to recognize "a mad" for we immediately start thinking of something bad to do back, or at least enjoying the thought of their suffering and the righteous satisfaction we would receive.
There are two emotions that we call anger. One is what I refer to as mad and the other is what theologians call "righteous indignation." Mad is wrong and indignation is right, for that is being angry with the things that anger God. When we are righteously indignant, we have a different spirit. We are more tolerant, patient and truthful. However, once we have taken our stand in righteous indignation we are to hold that position. We are to stand for the right when we know it is right ---- win or lose. The real discipline is to hold to the righteous and not slip into self-righteous.
The mad anger which is wrong comes from loss of personal power --- not being able to force our will on the situation. It comes, also, from the inability to get even when someone has hurt us. Mad anger retaliates "I'm not going to take it!" We get mad when someone has insulted us or talked down to us, assumed on us, or done something spiteful. Our deepest expression of mad anger is revenge, and revenge is sin. The Lord says, "Vengeance is mine. I will repay." But it is hard to wait for Him. He might be in a forgiving mood we sometimes rationalize. Or He might think that I caused it or even deserved what I got. The more I want to take matters into my own hands the more I know I am revengeful.
We are told "not to let the sun go down on our wrath or mad anger." It is an acid that burns in the night. So many angry people have stomach aches. We are to purge it out before we sleep and not let it settle into the value structure of our subconscious. This way we start each new day with our souls refreshed. The rancor of yesterday has not festered overnight.
To keep this from happening means we have to take the offensive in settling the matter. Though we are mad, we should not be mad enough to cut off communication with the person with whom we are angry. He/she is still a person for whom Christ died…just as He did for me. I am to be willing to forgive, forget and hope that he is, too. I will even make the first approach if necessary. With our leash on our anger we can control it. Self-control gives us freedom and in freedom we can find joy.
