One of the most recognized names in Christian hip-hop is an artist named, Lecrae (www.reachrecords.com). If you listen to his music, you will hear theology-laced rhymes over top of some of the best beats around (DJ Official). In his song, “Anger Management,” the rapper proclaims:
“The Gospel manages our anger, ya feel me? The solution is to gain a heart that’s thankful for grace in Jesus Christ!”
This song and lyric are so timely in my life. The phrase stood out to me immediately. I thought of Jesus, who while on the cross prayed for His accusers: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Stephen, a later disciple of Jesus prayed a similar prayer as He was persecuted through stoning. In Acts 7, we read his words to God, “Do not charge them with this sin!” Wow.
I found myself asking introspectively: Do I let the Gospel manage my anger? What does that even look like? Recently, 3 situations arose during our trip to Florida for orientation with New Mission Systems International.
First, our family joined some other youthHOPE members for dinner and a time of getting to know each other. Shortly after getting our food brought out at a restaurant, our 3 yr. old, Bryce, had a febrile seizure. This was brought on by her fevers for several days and we laid her down on the ground. We prayed over her as she shook and was unresponsive. We watched for signs of whether we needed to call 911 all the while believing God to bring her through. Around 20 minutes went by and she began to respond. It was a trying and difficult time for us as our friends took care of our other 2 daughters. Near the end of her seizure, my wife gave me a sign that we really need to leave because Bryce had urinated on herself and my wife. Just then, 2 patrons from the restaurant come over and I’m thinking they are there to show their concern for Bryce. Instead, they were just there to put music on the jukebox which was only a few feet away. They basically stood right over top of us for several minutes, totally oblivious to the situation. I was angry at them and so frustrated. I wanted to say something but at that moment, God saw fit that the Gospel would manage my anger. Our friends later commented how well we handled the situation, we know this was “only God.”
Second, the next day we were at the beach celebrating our 6 yr. wedding anniversary. If you are familiar with Ft. Myers Beach, you know on the weekend, especially during Spring break, there is a line of traffic stretching miles long. Having to pull out of a parking lot to go the opposite way, I maneuvered the van through several lanes of traffic to cross. It was a difficult turn to make, but being accustomed to driving in DC and Baltimore, it made sense to do it the way I did. Just before getting in the clear, a sedan stopped right in the spot where I needed to cut through. As if that was not inconsiderate enough, several teenagers in the backseat hung out the window and began to curse at me, give me the middle finger and several other obscene gestures. Apparently they were not familiar with basic traffic courtesy or any sense of morality for that matter. In that moment, anger rose up inside of me but instead of cursing back or flipping them off, I gave them a thumbs up and prayed that God would bless them. This is not of myself; it was a gift from God.
Third, late last night, I was having a difficult time getting back to sleep. My 3 yr. old had taken my rightful place in the bed with my wife, so I ended up in her bed. As I lay there, I had a nightmare. Dreaming, I awoke with the sound of my wife’s voice, “She’s (Bryce) having another one!” This was a reference to the seizure from the day prior, but in fact, my wife was sound asleep and my daughter was fine. I leaped out of bed and took off running in to the other room. Being in a new house and not being very accustomed to sleep-walking, I tripped and fell, busting my toe open and hurting my wrist. In that moment, I did not allow the Gospel to manage my anger. I was furious. My toe throbbing and bleeding, I wallowed in a haze of self-pity. It was ugly.
Having read my trials, perhaps you have had some of your own recently. How have you seen the Gospel manage your anger? Would you pray for the youth of the nations who are daily persecuted for their faith? Would you ask God for His people in places like SE Asia, Malawi and India to stand strong in the face of adversity and that the way they deal with anger would be radically fueled by the Spirit of God alive in them?
About Justin
