Why Anger?

Anger always has a message and a goal. Benjamin Franklin surmised that anger is never felt without a reason. When the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son became angry with his father for giving an extravagant party for the returning younger brother, he felt his anger was justified.

The father's efforts to console the older brother were brushed off. Listen to the father's appeal: "Your brother was dead but is now alive; he was lost but is now found." Still his anger could not be appeased. "I've always been responsible. I obeyed your every command, yet you never once gave me a party."

Anger’s underlying message was, “You love my brother more than me.” Anger's message rarely gets an in-depth examination of a situation because it blurs our vision and limits our range of hearing. The older brother could have asked, "What does my father see in my younger brother that I cannot see? What will I lose by remaining angry?" May God help you ask similar questions when you’re angry.  

Celebrate or Excommunicate?

Have you noticed how anger can be detrimental to achieving a worthy goal? Anger has the capacity to surface with minimal prompting. The father of the prodigal son was so thankful to see his son alive that he called for an all-out celebration, proclaiming, “My son was dead but is now alive, was lost but is now found!”

The older brother would have nothing to do with the celebration. His anger was directed toward his brother for coming home alive, and he was even angrier with his father for treating this irresponsible son as a prince. Visualize the father running down the road to greet his son with hugs and kisses, then ordering a prime rib beef dinner to celebrate.

When the older brother learned of the joyful celebration, he was angry to the depths of his being. The goal of his anger was to spoil his father's joy because the father refused to disown his wayward son and excommunicate him from the family. God’s command is, “Be angry, but do not sin.” Anger always has a reason, but it may not be a good one.

Let It Go – Let God Repay

Jealousy interferes with the capacity to think logically, for its motives are wrong and sinful. Rachel desperately wanted children, so she gave her maidservant Bilhah to her husband Jacob as a surrogate wife to have children in her place. In the strictest sense, this was permissible according to the ethics of the day. Spiritually, it was not acceptable because anger and jealousy existed in Rachel’s heart for her sister Leah.

Rachel wanted to get even with Leah, so when Bilhah conceived and gave birth to two sons, Rachel proclaimed God had heard her plea. However, when jealousy is the motivating factor behind any behavior, God does not approve.

Jealousy overrules love and logic. If jealousy is occupying a place in your heart, let it go by asking God to bless the person that’s the object of the jealousy. This is how you turn it over to God. He emphatically states: "Vengeance is mine. I will repay." Believe God and trust Him.

Choosing Compassion and Forgiveness - Part 3

There have always been tragic situations that God's people have to endure, while perpetrators of hurtful acts appear to escape suffering. Are laws that give criminals rights and protection, but often ignore the rights of victims, unjust? Are we too lenient on those who hurl rebellion and pride in the face of society?

The older brother saw his father coddle his younger sibling, who was irresponsible, lazy, and disloyal. The older brother's attitude concerning his younger brother was to send this slacker on down the road. Let him suffer for the pain he brought on the family. He could not bring himself to forgive either his brother or father.

We, like the older brother, have choices concerning how we behave. Anger and resentment destroy our inner peace and separate us from fellowship with God and others. Proverbs 12:15 issues a warning. "The ways of a fool seem right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." God never fails to show us the way to forgiveness and righteousness.  

Choosing Compassion and Forgiveness - Part 2

The parable of the prodigal son is interesting because it raises issues that  are familiar to everyone. It's impossible to perfectly chart a course for one's life without making a few wrong turns or occasionally stumbling into a stinking hog pen. Unwise choices and decisions often produce painful consequences.

The older son in this parable sees his father as excessively lenient on his younger brother, whom he identifies as a slacker. This older, responsible son is angry because his brother needs to face the consequences of his foolish behavior and choices rather than being coddled and indulged. Some have characterized the older brother as jealous and narcissistic in addition to being greedy.

It's possible to get so stuck in negative emotions that feelings of love and compassion are beyond reach, but this is a lonely road to travel. There is, however, deliverance and help for anyone who would respond to God's love. He unhesitatingly gave Jesus, his most prized possession, for our redemption. 

Jealousy or Forgiveness? It's Your Choice - Part 3

Imagine a family member refusing to come to a party because of anger and  jealousy. The older brother in the parable of the lost son refused to celebrate his irresponsible younger brother's return home. Listen to the father's appeal to his older son. "Everything I have is yours. But it's right to celebrate, for your brother was dead and is now alive! He was lost and is found."

Jesus emphasized that it's your attitudes, thoughts, and behavior that make you unclean before God. The good news is, God can intercept and change the heart of anyone who has enough humility and honesty to be repentant. However jealousy and anger blunt the heart and soul to express compassion and kindness.

This older brother appears unwilling to accept his father's love for both him and his brother. The younger brother needs forgiveness while the older brother needs to come to terms with his jealousy and hatred. The love of God extends to the vilest offender who sincerely believes and repents. It's hard to love as God intends, but he will help you succeed when you give your best.  

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