There's an unspoken "rule" in most faith circles that anger is bad. We are to be a peaceful people, not angry.
 
Here's a problem I'm faced with: anger is an emotion that all of us experience so what do we do about it?
 
One reaction I have is to ignore it. Pretend it isn't there. Hope it just goes away. I try to think happy thoughts wishing away the power of the anger. Inevitably, it doesn't go away and begins to eat away at my strength and resolve making me weak and susceptible to bitterness and resentment. Not good.
 
Another reaction I have is to suppress the anger. This is different from ignoring it because I actually acknowledge that I'm angry and allow myself to feel the weight of the emotion. But instead of giving it space to exist in a healthy construct, I try to control it much like attempting to push a beachball under water. This in turn spools up stress and anxiety in my core and I begin to fall apart at the seems.
 
Yet another reaction I have is to give it full vent. I lash out. I say hurtful words. I write poisonous emails, texts, or tweets. My anger gives way to rage. I steamroll anyone and anything in my way. I become a shell of a man with the carnage of human emotional casualties in my wake.
 
So what should we as followers of Christ do about this? What do I do about this?
 
May I suggest another option?
 
I can honor my anger without harboring my anger. I can allow it to exist and become curious about it. Maybe a value of mine has been disrespected. Maybe I've been wronged unknowingly; maybe willfully even. Whatever the case may be, allowing it to exist and manifest without giving it supremacy is key to honoring my anger without harboring my anger. My anger must submit to the authority of Jesus and it is up to me to surrender it to Him.
 
When I honor my anger, I offer it the same grace that I've received acknowledging the reality that my emotions have been impacted. I don't wish it away but stare deeply into my anger with questions--I get curious even-- and give it space to inform me about something that I'm intensely passionate about.
 
Anger is key to areas of deep passion and conviction.
 
For example, does it anger you that millions of children ages 10 and under are sold as slaves and forced to have sex? It pisses me off. Does it anger you that millions of people die every year due to lack of clean water? The injustice infuriates me. Does it anger you that 70% of health related issues in the US are preventable? It drives me nuts.
 
The world needs our anger. We need to get angry about the injustices that we observe and respond with grace, mercy, kindness, love, and, most of all, action! My anger and your anger should move us to do something just as Jesus did. Feed the hungry. Give grace to the broken.
 
Complacency and apathy are enemies of Christ and anger activates the passion within us to engage our world with the heart of Jesus to rise up and be a voice for the voiceless.
 
Honor but do not harbor anger.