Ephesians 4:26–27
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”
Paul does not pretend that believers will never experience anger. His instruction is “Be ye angry, and sin not.” The danger is not simply feeling anger; it is what happens when anger is allowed to remain, grow and begin controlling the heart.
Men, anger can become a wall.
Sometimes anger begins with genuine hurt. Someone betrayed you. A relationship broke down. A father disappointed you. Someone you trusted abused that trust. You experienced injustice. Perhaps decisions you made brought consequences that now frustrate you.
For men behind physical walls, anger can easily become part of survival. You may feel angry about your sentence, your circumstances, people who abandoned you or even yourself. Anger can make you feel strong when underneath you actually feel wounded.
Men outside prison can do exactly the same thing.
Instead of saying, “That hurt me,” we become angry. Instead of grieving, we become hard. Instead of admitting disappointment, we push people away. Eventually, the wall becomes so established that nobody can reach the pain underneath it.
Paul warns, “Neither give place to the devil.” Unresolved anger creates room for bitterness, revenge, hatred and destructive decisions. Later in the chapter, he tells believers to put away bitterness, wrath and anger and to become tenderhearted and forgiving.
Forgiveness does not mean pretending the wound was acceptable. Nor does it always mean restoring trust immediately. It means refusing to allow what someone did to continue governing your heart.
Men, anger may have protected something wounded inside you, but it was never meant to become your permanent home. Bring the hurt underneath the anger to God. Talk honestly. Seek wise support where needed. Begin releasing what you have carried.
Don’t spend your life imprisoned behind a wall built by somebody else’s actions. The wound may explain your anger, but it doesn’t have to control your future.
God bless you, Men of God. Continue in your roar.