Message Minute (What Your Anger Reveals)

"Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger." - Ephesians 4:26

The holidays have a unique way of exposing what's already in our hearts. Family gatherings don't create emotions—they reveal them. That comment from your brother-in-law, your mother's "helpful" suggestions, the political debates at dinner—suddenly you're white-knuckling your fork and thinking thoughts that aren't exactly gratitude-list material.

Here's the truth: anger isn't always sin. It's actually a necessary part of love. Anger is destructive energy released in defense of something you love. When you love someone with cancer, you hate the cancer destroying them. Jesus got angry at injustice because He cared deeply about people.

But sinful anger? That comes from loving the wrong things or loving the right things out of proportion. When your anger flares, ask yourself: What is this defending? If you're angrier about someone disrespecting you than about people rejecting God, that reveals your priorities. Your anger is a window into your soul—it shows what you really worship.

Reflect: What situations or people trigger your anger most quickly? What does that reveal about what you truly love or value?

Prayer: God, help me see my anger clearly. Show me what my reactions reveal about my heart and what I've made into an idol. Teach me to love You above all else. Amen.