Is Anger Wrong?

By Carey Kinsolving

“It’s OK to get angry in certain situations,” says Nicole, age 9. “For example, when your baby sister sits on your new cowboy shirt.”

Being from Texas, I understand. A new cowboy shirt is a precious thing -new boots are even better.

“You have to get angry when somebody hits you so you can hit him back harder,” says Daniel, 5.

Ouch! We smile at Daniel’s honesty, but we all have this monster called revenge living inside. Most of us don’t hit with fists. We’re too sophisticated for that. Gossip and slander are often the weapons of choice.

If you have to punch something, Daniel, take a tip from Chaz, 10: “When I lose my temper, I beat up my pillow and then pray.”

Punch and pray. This sounds like a winning combination -- as long as you’re punching a pillow and not someone’s nose.

Anger can make you do crazy things such as “losing your temper when someone is trying to be boss of your football,” says Cade, 5. Of course, some who get really angry about being boss of the football sign contracts worth millions and play for the NFL.

Anger can also make you “rip up a failing paper before you get home and tell your mom you didn’t get that test,” says Chelsea, 9.

As every teacher knows, dogs have ravenous appetites for school papers, especially on the day they are due.

Lying about a failing paper or making up a dog story because you didn’t do your homework could make your mom and your teacher justifiably angry.

Anger is fine, says Brittani, 5: “Because when two friends get together, it is hard to play good every minute.” Colton, 5, disagrees, “Even though this makes Jesus sad, some people just love to fight.”