My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-20)
The letter of James is an in-your-face collection of intensely practical wisdom for the Christian life. It is all about ethics - how we should live a Godly life, often in a culture that is hostile to faith. I love the direct way James punches out his advice. His advice confronts me at a number of different points. He was a tell-it-like-it-is guy!
I have always struggled to keep anger in check. I am not an angry person, but I can erupt into an angry outbursts, often with little seeming provocation. Years ago, just after we were married in fact, when Sue and I were leading a youth group I owned a red jumper. Leading a bunch of teenagers can be like herding cats; full of frustration. Anyway, a myth developed amongst the teenagers we led that whenever I wore my red jumper, the likelihood of me losing it in anger was high. "Watch out!", they would say, "He's wearing the red jumper!" It acted like an early warning system.
As I have matured in life and faith I have learned to control my anger. I erupt far less often. I listen more and speak less (believe it or not!). I have become far more patient then 20 years ago. But I still have a long way to go. I do long to rise above the frustrating circumstances that can give rise to anger. Having said this, there are circumstances where the rights of others are being abused and appropriately channelled righteous anger can be an effective catalyst towards justice. It is the destructive and self-defeating anger that I still need to rid myself of daily.
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