We must remember that the battleground of our hearts is a place for grace. There are real reasons to feel angry in this broken world, but we do so from a broken heart. If we work that anger back to our self-righteousness and idolatry, we will see that we need to change more than any of our circumstances.

Every so often, anger rears its ugly head in my heart—either toward others or toward circumstances, and most often also toward God. It is incredibly difficult to overcome such anger, especially if it feels justified. So how do we keep it from overtaking us?

We Must Honestly Assess Our Own Hearts Before God

The Lord has searched us and knows us (Ps. 139:1). Even before a word is on our tongues, he knows it altogether (v4). And he questions us, like he did Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?” (Gen. 4:6).

If we allow his questions to pierce us, we will find uncomfortable truths beneath the surface. While circumstances may be painful and people may hurt us, there is often a self-righteous impulse within us, like Cain, that does not like the way the Lord does business. And that impulse is what feeds the growing bitterness that infects our hearts.

Instead of indulging our grievances, we must seek the Lord’s conviction through prayer. If we are aware of our own sin, it takes the wind out of the sails of our anger.

We Must Pray for—Not About—Those Who Offend or Hurt Us

There is a difference between praying about someone and praying for them. When I was in high school and my brother was driving me crazy, I’d often pray, “Lord, please give me the strength I need to deal with him!”

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