Lectio Divina: On Anger

Reading. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)

Comment.
My former wife was fond of citing this verse when we were having an argument close to bedtime on a week-night. In retrospect, this manipulative on her part.  For, it seemed obvious even at the time that the only resolution possible was for her to "win" the argument.

Somehow, I don't think that's what Paul meant.  I suspect the word translated as "anger" here is more precise than the English word. "Anger" connotes a range of emotions from mild annoyance to near homicidal rage. Many suppress any expression of anger along that range for fear it will automatically turn into rage.

But, notice that Paul does not say "Don't express your anger." In fact, the New Revised Standard Version translates the verse thusly: "Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." So, it's clear that it is appropriate to express anger. There are, indeed, at least two incidents in the Gospels where Jesus is recorded as being angry (the cleansing of the Temple being the best known). I believe an argument can be made that we risk more by not expressing anger; that, by saying "don't let the sun go down on your anger" Paul is saying in effect that it is best if one does express one's anger before the sun sets.

But we do not have free reign open fire on the freeways either: "Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another." The piling up of adjectives makes clear the type of strong, negative anger Paul has in mind.

In other words, you must become the master of your anger or it will become the master of you.

Meditation.
What seems right for me, today, are appropriateness and assertiveness. The way to appropriately express one's anger is to first examine oneself; what is the cause of the anger?  If, after thoughtful humble consideration, the anger seems justified, then express it. Not yelling and screaming, per se, but at the very least saying "I'm angry about x because y." Then you may assert what you desire as an outcome; there is no guarantee, of course, that you will achieve that outcome, but you must assert it if you want to have any hope of realizing it.

Prayer.
Grant me discernment to recognize the cause of my anger;
courage to speak it when appropriate; and
the strength to release it once it has been spoken.

So be it.