Where is Your Anger Taking You?
Anger has a purpose in our lives, but where it takes us is determined by our self-control (one of the types of evidence of the Holy Spirit living in us).
There is a story in the Bible that has often intrigued me. It is the story of David’s anger against a man named Nabal. If you can, take a moment and read the story yourself found in I Samuel 25:2-42. Here is a quick recap of that story:
While David was on the run from a jealous king (Saul) and living in the wilderness, he and 600 men aligned with him were doing their best to live with a purpose. While they forged a way of life in the wilderness, they came upon Nabal’s shepherds and their flock. Because they were warriors, David’s men took a protective stance for Nabal’s shepherds and sheep against enemy intruders (man or beast).
After these shepherds and their flock returned home, David realized his men needed provisions. So, he sent messengers to Nabal to ask him to share food and provisions with his men who had protected his flock.
Being a foolish man, Nabal dishonored David and refused to share anything with David and his men. When David received this news, he became very angry and gathered 400 men to attack Nabal. When Nabal’s wife, Abigail, heard of her husband’s foolish response to David, she realized her family was in grave danger from David and his men.
So, without her husband’s knowledge, she gathered some wonderful provisions for David and his men and met David’s army of 400 with these gifts. She humbled herself before David and interceded for her family’s welfare. David listened to her, received her gifts, and did not let his anger destroy her people.
What are some takeaways you and I can harvest from this story? Here are some I thought of I trust will be helpful to you:
1. Anger is not a sin. Scripture (James 1:19) tells us to be “slow to anger.” It does not say, “Do not be angry.” Later, in James 1:20, James says, “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” Therefore, there is a righteous anger and a human anger. If we let our human (self-focused) anger lead us, trouble will follow. However, if we are led by righteous anger and self-control, we can bring justice to a given situation.
2. We must be willing to stop and listen to wise counsel. Abigail was a wise woman with a perspective (and gifts of provision) David needed. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:24, “Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” Because David’s eyes were glued on wisdom, he stopped and listened to Abigail, received her gift, and turned away from destroying a people due to one man’s foolishness.
3. Humility is the antidote to human anger. In this story, you see two people humble themselves. First, you see Abigail humble herself and take the blame for her husband’s foolish response to David though she had nothing to do with how Nabal replied to David’s messengers. Second, you see David humble himself and listen to a woman. In this period of history, women usually did not occupy leadership positions. Yet, David saw beyond the fact that Abigail was a woman and saw her wisdom in approaching him to intercede for her people. As a result, innocent lives were saved.
So, you have an opportunity here before you. The next time you become angered – and you will because you are human – stop and ponder these thoughts: (1) anger itself is not a sin, but you need to control it; (2) we must be willing to seek counsel from wise individuals before we do something we will regret; and (3) practice humility in a proud world and see the kingdom of God manifest itself.
I hope that helps as you seek to use your anger wisely.
— Pastor Eric