When Anger Becomes a Prison

"In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." — Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)

Anger is a natural human emotion, but when left unresolved, it can become a prison—not just for those who wronged us, but for ourselves. Dr. Don Colbert, in his book Deadly Emotions, shares the story of a pastor named Karl whose unresolved anger was literally destroying his health.

Karl was on three blood-pressure medications, but none of them worked. His blood pressure remained dangerously high, spiking to levels that put his life at risk. Doctors couldn’t figure out the cause until Dr. Colbert sat down with Karl to explore the emotional roots of his hypertension.

Karl revealed that his health problems began after he lost his position as a pastor due to a bitter church split. He had been deeply hurt and carried immense anger toward those he felt had wronged him. Instead of processing his emotions, Karl had buried them, allowing the anger to fester into bitterness.

When Dr. Colbert brought up the topic of forgiveness, Karl erupted in rage, screaming loud enough for the entire office to hear. He vented years of pent-up anger, expressing the bitterness he had carried for so long. But something remarkable happened after this outburst—Karl began to forgive. One by one, he released the people he had been holding hostage in the prison of his heart.

Within fifteen minutes of speaking forgiveness, Karl’s blood pressure dropped dramatically. His face, once hardened with anger, relaxed, and he looked like a new man. His physical healing began the moment he let go of his rage.

This story reminds us that unresolved anger doesn’t just harm our relationships—it also harms us. When we let anger linger, it gives the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). But when we choose to forgive and release our anger to God, we experience freedom, healing, and peace.

Reflection Question: Is there someone you need to forgive today? How might holding on to anger be affecting your heart—emotionally, spiritually, or even physically?

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that holding on to anger and bitterness only hurts me. Help me to forgive those who have wronged me, even when it’s hard. Teach me to release my pain to You and trust You to do what is right. Thank You for the peace that comes with forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Adapted from "God's Answer for Anger": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/jcn6r6s/1-god-s-answer-for-anger