Is Anger Powerful?

Those who desire power over others, often use anger as a means to control them. One reason is that it gives them a sense of dominance to act, or speak in ways they might not do otherwise. In short, it empowers them to be aggressive. They’ve noticed people tend to pay more attention to them when they are angry. At least, that’s how they see it. How many threaten others with their anger? “You might want to do as I say, you don’t want to see me angry,” or “You’re going to make me angry if you do that!”

Have you ever been in settings where people walk on egg shells around some central figure? Yea, the one who garners center stage by blowing up in front of everyone. “You don’t want to make him mad!” It makes for a toxic environment. The question is, do they respect the individual, or are they afraid of him? There’s a big difference.

Anger May be a Sign of Insecurity

Here’s a point of clarity in regards to those who practice anger. Some grew up with fear, and anger came to their rescue. They found they could rely on it to push fear out of the picture, even if it was temporary. Face it, any reprieve from fear is welcome, especially if it’s a constant nemesis.

Those deeply wounded rely on it to keep from getting hurt again, since it tends to keep others at bay. In essence, they use it for self-preservation and manipulation. It is their cover for insecurity. Angry people are not powerful people, in spite of what some might think. To state it differently, using anger is a sign of pain, and insecurity.

Moreover, it reveals a lack of love, both in the giving and receiving of it. As stated, it is often attached to fear, which is the antithesis of love. Perfect love casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). If we can think in these terms, it might be easier to have compassion on angry people: they are tormented by pain and fear. They need healing; not disdain and avoidance.

True Sign of Strength

Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

While anger has a proper place in relation to such things as injustice, or protecting others; it has no place in terms of interacting with others. Especially, when it comes to weaponizing it. We are exhorted to put it away.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

It is a strength to be slow to anger; in fact, it’s part of our new nature.

Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  

Love is not easily provoked, nor keeps a record of wrongs suffered by others (see 1 Corinthians 13:5). The joy of the Lord is our strength, while peace is to rule in our heart (no anger there). Meekness is strength under control, and temperance is self-control. We do have a choice as to whether we allow anger to control us, or we control it through submission to Holy Spirit.

The flesh would have us be reactive by nature. Quick to blowup, without considering all things. However, the Word says otherwise.

James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

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