Reining In Distorted Anger

Reining in Distorted Anger

Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me!”

2 Kings 5:11

WE OFTEN GET ANGRY about the wrong things. Take this Bible story as an example: Naaman, a military commander from the country of Aram, had been stricken with leprosy. After traveling to Israel to ask Elisha for healing, he became angry when the prophet of God did not come out to see him and speak to him directly. Instead, Elisha sent word that to be healed, Naaman needed to dip seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman felt disrespected because he didn’t think Elisha had acknowledged his importance. In his anger he was ready to go home, until a humble servant suggested that his anger was distorted—out of proportion—and misplaced. Naaman repented, did what the prophet suggested, and was healed.

Naaman’s pride had been hurt, and we are all too similar. Often we get angry because something our spouse says or does embarrasses us, or something our spouse fails to do irritates us. A husband whose wife is late coming home may start thinking, I can’t depend on her for anything. She doesn’t love me. If she loved me, she would not let this happen. She only thinks of herself. He may be halfway to divorce court before he realizes that his wife is in the hospital. His anger is distorted.

When you are angry, think before you act. Make sure you have all the facts. Pray for wisdom. You may discover that your anger is distorted.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times when I get ahead of myself in my anger. Please keep me from distorted anger, and show me how to wait to act until I have the truth.

Anger