What Can Anger Teach Us About Ourselves?

That anger has a cutting edge to it is indisputable. For anger to pierce the heart and soul, it must be powered by fear, resentment, or hurt. The objective of anger is to diminish another’s character strengths.

By adopting this objective, we are made victims of the loneliness from alienation and guilt. If we suppress anger, we damage our character and soul. When we refuse to acknowledge the destructiveness of anger, we close the door on a vital part of our relationship with God and others.

God gave us anger to teach us how to give and receive forgiveness, which restores peace and fellowship to relationships. God’s anger caused by our sin is replaced by forgiveness and his unfailing love. Why not let this be the solution to the problems and troubles created by your anger? Then you will enjoy peace and freedom. 

                      

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Where is another God like you, who pardons the sins of the survivors among his people? You cannot stay angry with your people, for you love to be merciful. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will tread our sins beneath your feet; you will throw them into the depths of the ocean!

~Micah 7:18 The Living Bible 

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How Is Compassion Related to Forgiveness?

Extending forgiveness is the most important undertaking a person will ever attempt. It goes far beyond just saying, “I forgive you.” When God forgives us, he completely forgets our sins. We, however, can’t forget so completely, but when we sincerely forgive, punishment or revenge-seeking is not pursued.

If forgiveness has taken place, the wounds inflicted by the offense begin to heal. To demonstrate your sincerity in forgiving an offense, the moment the offense is remembered, immediately turn it over to God. He will help you go through the process of forgiving the offender again by instilling in you a heart of compassion.

Asking God to cleanse you from anger, resentment, and hate is another way to demonstrate your desire to forgive. When you ask God to forgive you, he acts with compassion and pity and erases your offense from his memory. To forgive authenticates the compassion Jesus extended to you.  

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There is no other god like you, O Lord; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love.

~Micah 7:18 Good News Bible

 

Peter came up to the Lord and asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven time enough?” Jesus answered, “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!”

~Matthew 18:21-22 Contemporary English Version

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Questioning the Quality of Forgiveness

There are some people who believe that once they have decided mentally and emotionally to forgive someone, it's a done deal. They also believe it can be accomplished with little or no communication. This approach calls into question the quality of forgiveness being offered and what state the relationship is in.

Is it credible to believe there are different qualities of forgiveness? Everyone has questioned whether someone was sincere when they were asking for or receiving forgiveness. It might appear that a person who casually asked to be forgiven had little regard for the other person's feelings. It calls into question if there was any depth of meaning to the forgiveness that was desired.

Forgiveness may appear meaningless if it doesn't show evidence to a change in attitude and action. Forgiveness must be more than an attempt to placate guilt or soothe over anger. Fortunately, God knows the depths of our intentions when we seek forgiveness from him. He extends to us perfect forgiveness because his love is perfect. 
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And forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

~Matthew 6:12 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

There is no other God like you, O Lord; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love.

~Micah 7:18 Good News Bible