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In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
- Ephesians 4:26
What is Anger?
Anger is usually a secondary response to one or more deeper root causes.
It occurs when there is a strong emotion of irritation or agitation over a need or expectation that is not being met.
Typically anger originates from hurt, fear, or injustice. And while anger itself is not a sin, how we react to it can be.
Anger is a normal God-given emotion. The Bible does not tell us that we shouldn’t feel angry. But it tells us that how we express anger determines whether or not it becomes a sin. Ephesians 4:26 tells us, “In your anger do not sin:” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
So how do we experience anger and not sin?
First, we need to understand the source of our anger—from where did it come?
Next, we need to realize that it is never God’s desire that we use anger as a tool to get our needs met.
Instead, we are to constructively react in all circumstances with control and express our feelings appropriately.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for enabling me to live a fruitful life that pleases you. I love you and ask you to direct me and my path today. Amen.
With Love,
Sherry Shepherd
God doesn't ask us to ignore our emotions—He invites us to bring them to Him. As you spend time journaling today, ask the Holy Spirit to gently reveal any hurts you're still carrying and allow His grace to begin bringing healing and peace.
Journal & Reflect
- Is there a recent situation that left you feeling hurt, frustrated, or angry?
- What emotions are underneath those feelings?
- Are there any unresolved conflicts you've been avoiding or replaying in your mind?
- What would it look like to surrender this situation to God instead of carrying it alone?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ephesians 4:26 say anger is a sin?
No. Paul acknowledges that anger is a normal human emotion. The warning is against allowing anger to linger, grow into bitterness, or lead us toward sinful actions.
Why shouldn't we "let the sun go down" on our anger?
Paul encourages believers to deal with conflict promptly so resentment doesn't take root and damage relationships or our spiritual lives.
How can journaling help me process difficult emotions?
Writing honestly before God helps you identify what's beneath your emotions, pray through your struggles, and recognize how His truth brings healing and freedom.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You know every hurt, disappointment, and frustration I carry. Thank You for caring about every part of my heart. Help me respond to difficult situations with wisdom instead of reacting out of anger. Where bitterness has begun to grow, replace it with forgiveness. Give me the courage to seek peace, extend grace, and trust You with every unresolved situation. Shape my heart to reflect the love and patience You've so generously shown me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Message from Kara
I think we've all experienced moments when hurt lingers longer than we'd like. What I love about this verse is that God isn't asking us to pretend everything is okay. He invites us to bring our emotions into His presence, where healing can begin.
I've learned that forgiveness often starts with one honest prayer. It may not change everything overnight, but it opens the door for God to soften our hearts and replace resentment with His peace.
My prayer today is that you'll experience the freedom that comes from releasing your burdens into His faithful hands.
With Love,
Kara
Applying this to your Daily Routine
Take time to reflect, pray, and process what God is teaching you through every season. Our Personalized Prayer Journal was designed to help you grow deeper in faith—one day at a time–turning intention into habit. Many people use journals to revisit verses like these and reflect throughout the week.
👉 Explore Personalized Scripture Products at www.papersunday.com
Today's devotional pairs beautifully with the Wild Berry Blooms Personalized Scripture Journal
If you want to grow deeper in your daily life and reflection, these devotionals can help:
Daily Devotional • Hebrews 11:8 • Trusting God When the Path Isn’t Clear
Daily Devotional • Ephesians 2:8 • Saved by Grace, Not by Works
4 comments
Catherine
Thank you Kara, your writings have help me tremendously. My oldest son (61) has congestive heart failure and my younger son (59) has blood cancer and I am sick and your writing are on point. I loss a brother to drugs and a nephew all in a matter of 5 years, my dr told me Monday let go of this all its affecting your health your 78 Catherine. Let God
Thank you Kara, your writings have help me tremendously. My oldest son (61) has congestive heart failure and my younger son (59) has blood cancer and I am sick and your writing are on point. I loss a brother to drugs and a nephew all in a matter of 5 years, my dr told me Monday let go of this all its affecting your health your 78 Catherine. Let God
Cathy White
Omgosh! This scripture and your written response to it was perfect💕. I have been struggling w love/hate relationship w my deceased father. Old wounds surfaced. Actually, it is something I have dealt with since I was 2 yo. I thank you for helping me to start dealing with the pain and learn to let go.
Omgosh! This scripture and your written response to it was perfect💕. I have been struggling w love/hate relationship w my deceased father. Old wounds surfaced. Actually, it is something I have dealt with since I was 2 yo. I thank you for helping me to start dealing with the pain and learn to let go.
Barb Bull
Wow, your message definely was for me today, I wrote it all down! My husband has pulmonary fibrosis and just went through a year of testing with hopes of receiving a lung transplant at Loyola Hospital, but after all the testing he was rejected and told they have never done a lung transplant on a 78 year old before, so why would you then put him through all the testing and wear him out?,There are other hospitals that do lung transplants on that age, but now my husband does not think he would make it through it! He now is on oxygen 24/7 and has a long cord that follows him everywhere through the house! We have been prayed on at church and through many friends and neighbors, but looks like God’s plan of healing is when he gets to heaven! i have also been prayed for, I am 76 for my knees that need surgery, my bladder that is falling and my high blood pressure, but that looks like that will be a heaven bound healing too! I had an angry day today, so reading your devotion pointed at me and made me realize I really need to tone my anger and shape up, so thank you, I feel as though you were ansepwered prayer and this was exactly what I need to read and remember! Thank You❤️
Wow, your message definely was for me today, I wrote it all down! My husband has pulmonary fibrosis and just went through a year of testing with hopes of receiving a lung transplant at Loyola Hospital, but after all the testing he was rejected and told they have never done a lung transplant on a 78 year old before, so why would you then put him through all the testing and wear him out?,There are other hospitals that do lung transplants on that age, but now my husband does not think he would make it through it! He now is on oxygen 24/7 and has a long cord that follows him everywhere through the house! We have been prayed on at church and through many friends and neighbors, but looks like God’s plan of healing is when he gets to heaven! i have also been prayed for, I am 76 for my knees that need surgery, my bladder that is falling and my high blood pressure, but that looks like that will be a heaven bound healing too! I had an angry day today, so reading your devotion pointed at me and made me realize I really need to tone my anger and shape up, so thank you, I feel as though you were ansepwered prayer and this was exactly what I need to read and remember! Thank You❤️
Emily Hill
I definitely needed this today. There are some things going on at work that are completely unfair and I have been angry about what is going on. Today’s devotional reminded me that I need to pray about my reactions and responses to these situations and to express my feelings appropriately.
I definitely needed this today. There are some things going on at work that are completely unfair and I have been angry about what is going on. Today’s devotional reminded me that I need to pray about my reactions and responses to these situations and to express my feelings appropriately.