Blowing Off Steam (November 29, 2015, Bulletin Article)

 

"Fools give full vent to their anger but the wise keep themselves
under control." (Proverbs 29:11)

 

A common way to understand human anger is to see it as a corrosive substance, eating away at our insides like acid—or like liquid inside a pressure cooker, that boils until it explodes. In these metaphors, as the pressure rises, the danger increases. So it is common for people to be told they should “vent their anger, blow off some steam,” or “get it off their chest.” Indeed, we are advised that “holding it in” is unhealthy and self-destructive.
And, no doubt, letting ourselves simmer and stew long-term over insults and personal attacks will do us no good—but the proverb cited above takes issue with the idea of “blowing off steam” as well. According to this proverb, giving “full vent” to our anger is ill-advised. The apostle Paul wrote, “In your anger, do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26) There is a way to be angry without sinning, for even Jesus was angry on occasion (Mark 3:5). But neither Jesus nor Paul endorsed all forms of anger, especially unbridled rage or what we call “blowing off steam.” Only fools let their anger go all out and express it without restraint. A wise individual exercises discipline, keeping themselves under control, harvesting the benefits of that result from a disciplined life.