Healthy Anger in a Divisive Time

Channeling Righteous Anger for Positive Change

As we approach Election Day in November, tensions are high, and many feel burdened by division and anxiety. In this two-week series, we’ll explore how to prepare and posture our hearts, attitudes, words, and behaviors to reflect Christ in the midst of political turmoil. By examining the difference between healthy, righteous anger and toxic anger, we’ll examine how to engage in this season with grace, wisdom, and a commitment to love and justice.

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As Election Day approaches in November, many people are feeling the heat. Politics has become a minefield of conflicting opinions, harsh rhetoric, and rising tensions. From social media feeds to dinner table conversations, the political climate is driving anxiety, criticism, and anger on all sides. It’s easy to feel trapped in an emotional whirlwind, unsure of how to handle the intensity of these feelings.

Anger can be a natural response to injustice, frustration, or disagreement, and in this current political landscape, it’s an emotion many of us know all too well. But before we let anger take control, we need to ask ourselves: Is our anger serving us or harming us? How can we transform it into something constructive instead of letting it wreak havoc on our lives and relationships?

As Mark Twain noted:

“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything onto which it is poured.”

When we allow anger to fester and grow unchecked, we become the ones who suffer most. It begins to eat away at our well-being, sour our relationships, and cloud our judgment. Similarly, author Anne Lamott once said:

“Nursing a grudge is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.”

In other words, when we hold onto anger, we are often the ones hurt the most.

This damaging form of anger—the kind that festers, lingers, and lashes out—can take root quickly during election season. When politics become personal, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of grudge-holding and bitterness toward those who disagree with us.

The social and political divides that have deepened over the last few years make it difficult to engage in civil discourse without emotional flare-ups. But we don’t have to let anger consume us. There is another way—a healthier way—to steward our anger, especially in the tense environment surrounding Election Day.

The Bible offers a different perspective on anger. It acknowledges that anger, in its proper place, can be righteous and even necessary. "Be angry, but do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26). This verse highlights that anger itself is not inherently sinful, but when handled poorly, it can lead to destructive outcomes.

The challenge, then, is to hold anger in a way that is life-giving, not life-diminishing.

A key leader who modeled this well is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, King experienced anger at the deep injustices Black Americans faced. From segregation to violence and systemic racism, he had plenty of reasons to be enraged. But instead of allowing that anger to turn into bitterness or retaliation, he channeled it into nonviolent action and advocacy. In his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," King articulated his frustration at the silence of white ministers who privately supported his cause but refused to speak out publicly. Yet, rather than lashing out in hatred, King’s anger became the fuel for his tireless work for justice.

King’s example shows us that anger can be a force for good—if it is rooted in love and a desire for justice. He once said:

"Nonviolence is the answer to the critical political and moral question of our time—the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression."

King’s anger was not about revenge or destruction; it was about creating change, about building a better future for those who had been injured as well as those who had done the injuring.

In the weeks leading up to Election Day, it’s easy to get swept up in the toxic kind of anger—the kind that divides us further. We see candidates we disagree with and policies we feel passionately about, and it’s tempting to lash out. But toxic anger doesn’t help anyone; it only deepens the wounds.

So how can we avoid the trap of toxic anger while still standing up for what we believe in? The key is learning how to channel our anger constructively. Instead of bottling it up or letting it explode, we can use it to fuel positive action. That might look like getting involved in political advocacy, having calm and respectful conversations with those we disagree with, or simply making sure we cast our vote on November 6.

Another important way to manage anger is to remember that not all anger is equal. There is a form of anger that is driven by love—a love for justice, truth, human dignity, and God’s honor. When we’re motivated by a desire to protect what is good and right, our anger can become a powerful tool for change. This kind of anger doesn’t seek to destroy; it seeks to heal. It isn’t about retaliation or revenge but about standing up for those who are vulnerable, advocating for justice, and pushing for a better, more just society.

For example, think of Mother Teresa, who in 1994 boldly spoke out against abortion during a National Prayer Breakfast, even in the presence of then-President Bill Clinton, who held pro-choice views. Her words were filled with righteous anger, but they were not filled with hate. Instead, they were motivated by a deep love for life and a desire to protect the vulnerable. Her boldness, though uncomfortable for some, was an example of how righteous anger can challenge us to uphold what is good.

This election season, we are all faced with choices about how to engage in the political process and how to handle our emotions. Anger is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. We can choose to channel our frustration into meaningful action and conversation. We can advocate for justice without tearing others down. We can disagree without letting our anger consume us.

We can attack problems without attacking people.

As we approach Election Day, let’s pause to examine the anger we feel. Is it the kind that tears down or the kind that builds up? Is it motivated by love for what is right, or by bitterness toward those we disagree with? Let’s choose the path of righteous anger, the kind that inspires us to fight for a better world—not by destroying others, but by building bridges and standing up for what is right and good.

Remember: Anger can either fuel change or fan the flames of division.

Let’s make sure our anger is constructive, not destructive, as we navigate these tense political times.

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If you found this post helpful, you can dive deeper into these ideas in Scott’s book, A Gentle Answer: Our Secret Weapon in an Age of Us-Against-Them