Have you ever gotten a severe, deep cut? I remember falling off my bike going down a steep hill too quickly. I got a deep gash in my knee with blood soaking through the hole in my jeans. Right away, I hobbled on home to get it cleaned up and bandaged.
Over the next few days, we washed rocks and debris out again and again. It was a slow, painful process, but it was necessary. If I left any dirt, rock, or debris behind, infection could set in, causing a bigger problem. A festering wound can be pretty gross, smelly, and ugly. I wanted that gash dealt with quickly and completely so full healing could take place.
That wound reminds me of how unrighteous anger damages my relationships with the people around me. Ephesians 4:31 tells us to get rid of our selfish anger toward our fellow believers because anger can fester into a much bigger problem, like wrath or bitterness. These are even harder to treat and sometimes cause very painful divisions within the Body of Christ.
When your anger hurts someone, those harsh words or actions, like the debris in my wound, need to be washed away with the water of the Word (who is Jesus) and with forgiveness. Jesus is the ultimate Healer and Reconciler, and He will strengthen you through His Holy Spirit to heal the broken relationship. Once anger is washed away, add the healing balm of kindness and tenderheartedness (Ephesians 4:32). Go back and repeat the same steps as many times as necessary, just as I did with my gash.
Throughout this whole process, lean on Jesus’ forgiveness. He has cleansed us of our sins, healing our broken relationship with the Lord. Praise God! • Deborah del Villar
• How can our anger toward our fellow believers damage our witness to nonbelievers?
• When you are angry and don’t know how to fix a broken relationship, who is a trusted adult you can ask for advice?
• How does knowing Jesus has forgiven you affect the way you view people who have hurt you in their anger?
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)
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