Huwag kang mapopoot ni mababalisa, iyang pagkagalit, iwasan mo sana; walang kabutihang makakamtan ka.

Awit 37:8

Lahat naman tayo ay nagagalit paminsan-minsan. Kapag na-stuck tayo sa traffic, hindi nasunod ang gusto natin, o kaya basta may sobrang kinaiinisan lang tayo. Sabi nga sa Bible na “Be angry” pero may kasunod iyan — “Be angry and do not sin.”

Unang-una, ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng wrath, and how is this different from anger? Sabi sa dictionary, “The main difference between wrath and anger is that anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility, while wrath is the extreme form of anger. Therefore, wrath is an extreme form of anger, which involves violence or violent actions. While anger is healthy and socially acceptable, wrath is not.” Sa madaling salita, kung ikaw ay naiinis, may hindi ka gusto or ayaw mo lang talaga, anger iyon. Pero kapag nasobrahan na ang galit mo to the point na you become violent, wrath na ’yan.

The violence, or the act of causing harm against another, starts in the mind. Hindi ba’t ito ang nangyari kay Cain? Dahil naisip niya na mas pabor si God sa kapatid niyang si Abel, nagselos siya at pinatay ang kanyang kapatid.

Acting on our anger and being wrathful has consequences, hindi lang sa physical pero pati sa ating emotional at spiritual state. Sa kaso ni Cain, he was banished from the presence of the Lord and eventually, he was also murdered. Nadamay pati ang generations that came after him who kept on sinning, bringing havoc to God’s people and His creation.

If there’s one thing to learn from today’s devotion, it is this: Kasalanan ang wrath. God hates it. At ang wrath ay hindi nagsisimula sa actions, kundi sa pag-iisip. For a person struggling with wrath, bago pa siya manakit o pumatay ng isang tao, may mga naiisip na siyang masama laban sa kagalit niya. Struggle mo rin ba ito? Remember that wrath is always wrong. When you are angry, ask the Holy Spirit to guard your heart — and your mind.