Keizer admits his “Dutch temper” and says, “My great-grandfather, a Dutch Reformed minister, is said to
have cursed his Heavenly Father following the deaths of his wife and two young daughters from tuberculosis.
He is also said to have refused to sign a doctrinal confession affirming the damnation of all heathen souls.
Though after long wanderings he returned to the pulpit (first crossing the Atlantic to the United States) and
though it’s doubtful he ever lost his faith (one doesn’t curse what one doesn’t believe to exist), the image of
his clenched fist shaken in the face of heaven … has long been with me. … The story of my journey in faith
has often amounted to the story of my struggle with anger.”

Not many years ago my father and uncle told me the story of my grandfather running after their brother with a
pitchfork in his hand and swearing loudly.  That brother went on to be a pastor.  My grandfather never went
to church until his own funeral.

I don’t have a pitchfork, but I do have anger.  My indignation is not overt, and unless you get me cornered, I
will not attack you.  I bark, but I have no teeth.  You don’t have to be a fighter to struggle with anger.

Pastor Keizer writes of his constant flare-ups of anger when, as a boy, he and his dad worked on cars.  Even
as his pastoral ministry has matured and seasoned, Keizer discloses that eruptions of anger are close to the
surface.

Just the other day, pious man that I am, I was driving down the interstate listening to Christian music on my
CD player.  Suddenly, some guy I’d never seen before cut me off in traffic.  I simultaneously hit the brakes,
looked angrily at the driver of the other car and yelled “jerk.”

How about that as a pastoral recipe for Christian worship?  A minute later I started laughing and said, “Good
night, Follis, where in the world did that come from?”

At a conference at a Chicago church, I heard country western music star Randy Travis tell about his struggle
with anger.  You certainly don’t have to listen to the lyrics of country western songs for long to realize that
there’s a lot of stuff about to hit the fan in lots of people’s lives.

Several years back Travis returned to the faith of his youth, but he admits to still struggling with outbursts of
anger.  Reading the Bible in a quiet place is about the only thing that can calm Travis’ nerves and abate his
anger.

Why do you think the writer of the book of James said, “My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen,
slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight?”  It’s because
good anger is rare to find among fallen people.

I’ve seldom spoken to anyone who doubts that one of the great battles in life is the battle to get rid of anger.
And yet, the Bible clearly says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander.” (Ephesians
4:31).

Recently, I’ve meditated on four ideas to help me fight the battle with anger.

-- I’ve pondered the right of Jesus himself to be angry.  And yet, he endured the cross, as an example of
patience.  “This suffering is all part of what God has called you to.  Jesus, who suffered for you, is your
example.  Follow in his steps.” (I Peter 2:21)

-- I’ve thought about how God has forgiven me, and how much mercy I’ve truly been shown.  I’ve tried to
forgive others the way God forgave me.

-- I’ve considered that on-going resentment and bitterness give the devil entry into my life.  “And don’t sin by
letting anger gain control over you.  Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a
mighty foothold to the Devil.”  (Ephesians 4:26-27)

-- Finally, I’ve confessed my sin of anger to a good friend.  This takes courage, but it is a great healing act.
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”  (James 5:16)
 
 

Don Follis is an Urbana pastor and member of Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Urbana, Ill.  His column
appears on Fridays.  Copyright © 2003 by the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.