“Fools show all their anger, but the wise hold it back” (Proverbs 29:11 CEB).

When you think of someone who is wise, what type of characteristics do they have? I tend to imagine someone who is a bit older, dressed in robes, content to be outside observing the wind or whatever, someone who is deep in thought or prayer— basically a Christian Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Whatever comes to mind when you think of a wise person, I’m willing to bet it doesn’t involve a hot temper or irrational mood swings. When we think of people who are wise, we tend to assume they are cool, calm, and collected.

But I would challenge us to think twice if we go so far as to say wise people don’t show emotion. Since as early as the dawn of Stoicism a few hundred years before Christ, many cultures in the West have adopted the idea that emotions are illogical and therefore undesirable. Aside from this ideology causing people to harmfully repress their feelings, and aside from it serving as an excuse to dismiss the voices of women and children, we find evidence to the contrary in the Bible.

Jesus, who was even wiser than Solomon, showed all sorts of emotion. He wept when he learned that his friend Lazarus had died. He expressed joy and enthusiasm when his disciples returned from casting out demons. He even demonstrated anger when he cleansed the temple of opportunistic merchants.

“Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun set on your anger. Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27 CEB).

To be emotional is to imitate God. We shouldn’t be ashamed of our feelings; in fact, we will almost certainly be better versions of ourselves if we regularly express our feelings— the trick, however, is maintaining self-control.

Christians who practice self-control can burn with anger toward wickedness, lies, and injustice while simultaneously extending gracious hospitality to the sinner who perpetrates such things. Such followers of Christ allow anger to pass through them like a hot wind, then release it before it turns into bitterness. They cannot stew very long in indignation since they are always mindful of the grace they have received themselves. The righteous wrath of God was cooled at the cross. Whatever is owed to them by wrongdoers was already paid in full by the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Lord God, help us to have self-control in the midst of our emotions. May we weep in solidarity with those who mourn. May we rejoice at the spiritual victories of our sisters and brothers. May we express anger at sin without falling into sin. And in all we do, may you be glorified. Amen.