On November 14, 2019, a game changing brawl played out on Thursday Night Football in a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. With only minutes left in the game and a win already secured by the Browns, defensive end Myles Garrett ripped the helmet off Steelers’ quarterback Mason Rudolph and then went on to strike him in the head with it.
This action incited other players onto the field which also engaged in separate altercations. It took around 8 seconds from the time of the tackle to the time Garrett struck Rudolph with the helmet, but the ramifications will linger much more beyond that. As a result of his actions, the league decided to suspend Garrett without pay for the remainder of the season “at a minimum” and he will then need to apply for reinstatement into the league. In addition, this means Garrett will have to forfeit roughly $1.139 million in game checks. And now, he will be stuck with the label of being a dirty and violent player.
The bible does not condone anger in certain situations and makes a distinction between sinful anger and righteous anger. Sinful anger is rooted in the prideful, selfish soil of our sin nature. It desires to have its way. It’s all about how I’m affected and what this does to me. How could someone get away from doing this to me!
Righteous anger is being angry at what makes God angry. It’s termed “righteous anger” because God is not fundamentally angry. He does not wander around looking to punish and destroy. It’s not his nature. He is loving and seeks for all to know his grace.
Read:
Read Ephesians 4:26-27 .What does this verse tell you?
Pray:
In what ways has your anger hurt yourself and others?
Meditate / Make It Real:
Pray over and search the root of your anger. Where does it come from? Will you do to reign in your anger? How can you avoid anger becoming rage?
