Expensive Anger

On Sunday the Carolina Panthers football team not only lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-0, but it cost owner, David Tepper $300,000 for his angry outburst.

The Panthers are the worse team in the NFL and Sunday’s loss was their 14th of the season. Near the end of the game Carolina rookie quarterback Bryce Young threw an interception to seal the shutout.

Tepper, visibly upset, angrily reacted by tossing his drink into the crowd, dousing some fans below.

Regarding the Tepper’s six figure fine, the NFL said, “All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL.”

In response the billionaire hedge fund manager offered this weak statement. “I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday. I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose. I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the league’s discipline for my behavior.”

This incident reminds us that uncontrolled anger can be costly. And not just in terms of a massive fine like Tepper’s.

Anger can ruin reputations. Rupture relationships. Sever friendships. Alienate brethren. And divide churches.

How many homes have been broken because of a spouse who has an anger problem? In his book Love Busters, Dr. Willard Harley identifies angry outbursts as one of the 6 love busters that destroys marriages and wrecks homes. Harley points out that angry outbursts are often preceding by two other love busters, selfish demands and disrespectful judgments.

Uncontrolled anger may take the form of hurtful words or even physical attacks. Either way such anger can’t be tolerated in a marriage. Or in any relationships for that matter.

The Bible offers numerous warnings regarding the problem of anger.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
(Ps 37:8)

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,
for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
(Eccl. 7:9)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.
(Jas. 1:19-20)

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
(Prov 15:18)

These and many other passages reminds us that God is not pleased with angry outbursts. Anger does not produce the Christian qualities of love, kindness, peace, patience, meekness, humility and self control. In fact, anger stunts the growth of these virtues.

Uncontrolled anger leads to road rage and word rage. Anger appeals to our baser instincts. Fuels feelings of antipathy. Feeds our carnal desires. And, even increases our blood pressure. Angry outbursts are bad for you. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. And spiritually.

If you have an anger problem, the Bible offers this simple exhortation. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (Eph. 4:31). Put away anger. The NIV reads, “get rid of anger.”

The next verse offers this replacement for our anger. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

For further thoughts on this topic see a 2014 post, “5 Tips for Controlling Anger.”

Finally, remember that anger can be very expensive. Not just monetarily. But also in the things that money can’t buy.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman