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Are you angry about anything? Upset about the way things have turned out? What you’ve received or not received? How God has seemingly blessed someone that you didn’t like? How something didn’t seem fair?

Are you angry at anyone? For what they’ve done or said (or failed to say or do)? Perhaps it directly affected you, or it may be just a general anger with something or someone that really had no effect on you … but you just didn’t like it!

Are you angry with God? What He has caused or allowed? What you think He has done or failed to do?

ONE MAN’S FOOLISH ANGER

Jonah, the prophet, was mad. So mad he wanted to die. God had blessed a whole town of people, 120,000 of them, who were Israel’s enemies. God had Jonah go and preach a 7-word sermon, and the entire town repented. It was one of the greatest revivals in human history.

Jonah’s response was unusual.

It is strange that such a good man as Jonah should fall into such a foolish state of mind. But God still has a great many unwise children. You can easily find one if you look the right place—I mean, in a mirror. We are all foolish at times. (Spurgeon)

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Jonah’s anger came out of his pride (that he thought he was better than the Ninevites) and his prejudice (he was upset that God could redeem them in light of all their sin). God had already used a miracle from nature to teach Jonah a lesson (you can’t run from God’s presence.) God had appointed a great fish to show Jonah just that.

Now, in the oppressive heat and Jonah’s angry state, he wants to die. God “appoints a plant” that grew quickly and provided shade. Just when Jonah was feeling good about this unexpected blessing, God “appointed a worm” that destroyed the plant. And God asked his reluctant servant the same question a second time.

Then God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” (Jonah 4:9)

Jonah was so blinded by his foolish anger that he justified his reaction. And then, the final blow to Ninevah’s anger revealed the foolishness.

And the Lord said, “You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night. So may I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than a hundred twenty thousand people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals?” (Jonah 4)

Jonah had forgotten the eternal truth that the Apostle Paul would later state so clearly.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)

ONCE AGAIN

Anger is one of the most foolish and destructive emotions imaginable. If left unattended, it can easily turn into bitterness, which can destroy you and all those around you.

Be honest right now. Are you angry about anything or toward anyone? Listen to the Lord (through Jonah) and think prayerfully. Ask God to give you genuine humility and transparency. If you find anger there, ask God to forgive you. Plead with Him to do surgery in your foolish heart and mind.

God’s ways are always just, right, and purposeful. He knows what He is about and can be trusted. Turn from any anger and trust your sovereign, merciful, righteous Father, who loves others (even your enemies) just as much as He cares for you.

God is too good to be unkind and too wise to be mistaken. When we cannot trace His hand, we can always trust His heart. (Spurgeon)

Realize that God has allowed this little anger removal test to reveal your heart and eradicate one more thing that doesn’t look like Him.

Copyright © 2025 by Bill Elliff @ billelliff.org. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org