Be Angry

“Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds and be silent.” Psalm 4:4

When I was younger, I had a bit of a temper. A few Sundays ago, some of you heard me talk about the scraps my brother and I used to get into! There were definitely times it was difficult for me to control my emotions when I became upset. Some of it came out at home, some of it came out on the basketball floor! Thankfully, physical and spiritual maturity has made a big difference in my life and in controlling my temper. I know how I handled my anger was wrong.

Yet, here is David telling us to be angry without sinning! This verse is repeated in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry and do not sin.” How is that possible? Here’s what I think–anger (agitation, frustration), is typically produced by my self-focused reaction to something someone else has done. Their actions infringe in some way on my plans, my desires, etc. David is calling out to God because people are mistreating him, slandering him, abusing him. What is his reaction to this pain? It is to be angry without sinning. It was possible for David to be frustrated, to be agitated (the literal meaning of “anger” here) without sinning because he was trusting completely in God’s ability to vindicate him. “But I know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself. The Lord hears when I call upon Him,” (vs. 3). Instead of reacting with outward anger, he realized that the better course of action was to ponder God’s faithfulness and keep silent.

Friend–commit yourself and your plans to the Lord. Keep silent in your anger, your frustration, and trust His strength.

-Pastor Mike