Saturday 25 November is White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon aims to end men’s violence toward women by encouraging men to lead by example and talk to other men about respectful relationships. Often we think of White Ribbon Day as being about helping males better manage their anger so it doesn’t spill over into harsh words or hurtful actions. But women can also struggle to manage their anger.
Anger isn’t a bad thing. Anger is a normal human emotion that helps us process what’s happening around us and in us so we can choose to respond wisely. Anger can be a helpful response when we see injustice. It gives us the passion to fight for what is right. Jesus got angry when he went to the temple and saw people using it as a place to make money. He got so angry he chased those people out!
Sometimes females can feel it’s not appropriate for us to express our anger and that we instead need to be ‘nice Christian women’ all the time. Doormats who smile politely no matter how often we get trampled on. That’s certainly not the case! But choosing not to be a doormat doesn’t give us free licence to attack others.
According to the Bible, the key thing to remember is that we aren’t to let the way in which we express our anger become dishonouring of God or damaging to relationships. That’s why Ephesians 4:26 says, ‘In your anger, do not sin.’ (The CEV version says, ‘Don’t get so angry that you sin.’)
If you’re struggling to break bad habits of anger but want to make a change, be honest with your friends and family about that. Ask them to support you as you seek to bring your anger under God’s control.
Christina Tyson
Editor
2 Timothy 1:7 (Contemporary English Version)
God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love and self-control.
2 Timoti 1:7
Kāhore hoki i hōmai e te Atua ki a tātou te wairua o te wehi; engari tō te kaha, tō te aroha, tō te ngakau mahara.