Butter than Anger

Main Thought

Everyone knows what it feels like to be angry. We get angry when something we hold dear is threatened. It’s a natural response, but we need to be careful. Anger can build until it breaks. It can cause damage to property, to people, to us and our relationships, and more. God can be angry too, but anger isn’t God’s preferred response. God’s anger is outweighed by God’s love. God told us this Himself, then showed us through Jesus Christ. When Jesus was on the Cross, He looked down at those who were crucifying and mocking Him and said: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” Jesus responded with love, setting an example for us in the process. We can let go of our anger and “look with love.” We can look to God; we can look within us to figure out why we’re angry; and, we can look at others with empathy. When we choose love first, we choose a response that’s better than anger alone.

Main Passages

33 For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.

- Proverbs 30:33

6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness… -

Exodus 34:6

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

- Hebrews 4:15-16

Discussion Questions

  1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

  2. The Greek Philosopher Aristotle suggested that anger can be useful if someone can be “angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way.” Do you think God might be able to help us accomplish that difficult task? Why or why not?

  3. Do you think any of these three things might be able to help you let go of anger and “look with love”? If so, which one(s) and why?

    1. Look to God, remembering that we’ve been forgiven and that He offers us help.

    2. Look to ourselves, to figure out what’s happening inside us when we’re angry.

    3. Look at others with empathy, in an effort to understand and forgive.