Christian Living
In his book, “Reflections in the Psalms” C.S. Lewis describes the anger expressed in some of the chapters of Psalms like the heat from a furnace. Perhaps this analogy also best describes the emotion even the most behaved children can be consumed with. Whether it was a bad start to the morning or being picked-on incessantly, the anger is real.
But is it wrong?
Anger is a natural emotion felt by all human beings, which can be the result of bodily harm or emotional trauma. Although the expression of anger is often frowned upon, it was a common occurrence in the Bible. Anger can be righteous or unjust, deserved or undeserved. There is a big difference between sinful anger and sinless anger.
A study of the Psalms shows anger as a reoccurring theme. In Psalm 109, the psalmist prays against enemies who requite evil for good, break the covenant and go to war without cause. The enemy’s harmful words also bother the psalmist. So, the psalmist cites a strong cursing prayer asking for God’s justice.
Psalm 139 concerns the wicked and God’s judgment upon them. Verses 19-20 say, “O that you would kill the wicked, O God, and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me – those who speak of you maliciously, and lift themselves up against you for evil!”
And in Psalm 10 there is obvious anger with God for not being involved, something many Christians have certainly struggled with. Verse 10 says, “Why O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Although the psalm celebrates the faith of the poor and their belief that they will be delivered the neglect, mistreatment, manipulation and cold-blooded cruelty of those in power is expressed. This seeming indifference of God during bad times suffered by the righteous is a frequent ground of complaint in the Psalter. Sound familiar? What are the most common complaints children wrought with anger have?
Psalm 10 teaches that by refusing to have their faith shaken by severe afflictions, a worthy solution of the mystery of God is sought by the psalmists.
What the Psalms are saying is that anger is not evil or sinful nor is it something to overcome or fear. Anger is simply one of the many subjects Christians take to God in prayer. The psalmists’ expression of anger allows them to grow and change with their relationship with God, themselves and others. Whether anger is expressed about enemies or God’s seeming reluctance to intervene, it is surrendered to God. And the Psalms show us that God is ready and willing to listen to all that we have to say. Psalms 109, 139 and 10, along with others like them show that the psalmists speak their minds without any reservations. Anger is not something that should be ignored or suppressed. The Psalms show us that anger should be brought before God, and that prayer changes things.
Often in Christian circles, anger is sometimes seen as sin and therefore suppressed. Even Jesus expressed anger when he turned over the tables on those selling animals and exchanging money near the Temple in John 2. There are several facts regarding anger that need to be pointed out. Emotions, including anger are human nature. Anger is a natural emotion given to humans by God. Therefore emotional suppression does not result in sanctity and there is no biblical foundation for the conception of an emotionless God worshipped by emotionless people.
And what holds true for humans holds true for God. As our relationship with God grows, we experience love and servitude but also anger and hate. If one learns to deny their feelings to humans, they will deny their feelings to God, and therefore take the chance on alienating themselves to God.
Expressing your anger to God is actually a way to acknowledge His presence. Take for example this quote from Elie Wiesel in The Town Beyond the Wall:
"I go up against him, I shake my fist, I froth with rage, but it’s still a way of
telling him he’s there, that he exists, that he’s never the same twice, that
denial itself is an offering to his grandeur. The shout becomes a prayer in
spite of me."
Unfortunately, society has taught that expressing anger is wrong, and expressing anger towards God is simply unacceptable. The solution to this is found in the biblical stance towards anger and that the biblical notion of a relationship with a living God implies full presence. God promises to be present with His feelings and has expressed His anger when people break the covenant. And God does not expect the people to repress their feelings of anger when they think He has broken it. This freedom on both sides strengthens the covenant.
The Psalms also teach that prayer changes things. When the psalmists pray for the destruction of others or express their anger at God, they not only express anger, but they pray for change.
Think of the child who learns to turn to God about an injustice in their life. Or a child who learns that it is okay to yell and scream at God for pain they have suffered. If a child learns that God is not just there to be thanked and asked for things, but is there for everything, how much of a closer relationship with God will that child have as he or she matures?
It is important that from a mental health point of view, the Psalms be used as expressions of anger to God without holding back. God is clearly ready to hear the protests of his people and His children can always tell Him what is on their mind. God may not answer right away, but He understands and knows our frustrations. The Psalms also show that you do not have to hide your hatred of your enemies from God. He knows anyway, why not be honest about your feelings?
While anger is an emotional response to our physical, social, psychological or spiritual selves each case is different. An out of control child may be expressing anger from a situation at home, a bad grade, or from the hurtful actions of others. Suppressing these feelings does not eliminate them. You have the ability to teach that child how to handle his or her emotions, help the child grow socially and with his or her relationship with God. Perhaps nothing is more important than for the mature grounded in faith, to help the immature to be grounded in faith. Those in the classroom are on the frontlines of the battlefield against Satan.
Research for this article was used from C.S. Lewis’ Reflections on the Psalms; J.H. Eaton’s Kingship and the Psalms; D. Berrigan’s Uncommon Prayer; The Interpreter’s Bible; T. Craven’s The Book of Psalms; S. Carney’s essay “God Damn God: A Reflection on Expressing Anger in Prayer”; C.P. Christ’s essay “Expressing Anger at God”; H.A. Williams’ Tensions: The Necessary Conflicts in Life and Love; Elie Wiesel’s The Town Beyond The Wall; A.D. Lester’s essay “Toward a New Understanding of Anger in Christian Experience” and W. Harrelson’s Interpreting the Old Testament.
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