2nd November 2025

Anger Management

Then the Lord said,

“Is it right for you to be angry?”    

Jonah 4:4

Today's Bible Reading: Jonah 4:1-4.

You have a temper. There is nothing unique about that. Most people have tempers, in varying degrees, of course. God does not ask that you get rid of that temper. But He does say that if you are to be happy, it must be brought under control and rechannelled to proper use. God cannot use a man or woman without a temper as well as one with a controlled temper. Too many professed Christians never get “wrought up” about anything; they never get indignant with injustice, with corruption in high places, or with the godless society around them which batter away at the souls and bodies of each of us. It is very right and proper to get angry about sinful activities, and to take them to God in prayer.

However, Jonah directed his anger towards God. In Jonah 4, Jonah, in expressing his anger against God, was being honest about his feelings — something good; but we should not for a moment think that all of our feelings towards God are justified. 

God likes to ask us questions, because they reveal our heart. It also puts us on proper ground before God, because He has every right to question us and we owe Him answers. 

A few examples

Where are you? Who told you that you were naked? What is this you have done? (Genesis 3)

Where is your brother Abel? What have you done? (Genesis 4)

What have you done? (1 Samuel 13:11)

Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in His eyes? (2 Samuel 12)

Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? (Isaiah 6)

Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16)

Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22)

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9)

Is it right for you to be angry: This is the question we should and even must ask ourselves if we find ourselves angry with God. The answer must always be “No, Lord. All Your ways are right, even if I do not understand them.”

Prayer: Lord, take my temper and turn it into a force for Your justice, not my pride. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.