| "It's OK to get angry in certain situations," | | | | 10.For some imaginative color commentary on |
| says Nicole, age 9. "For example, when your | | | | this incident, let's go to Sarah, 9: "There |
| baby sister sits on your new cowboy | | | | were people crying, yelling and screaming to |
| shirt."Being from Texas, I understand. A new | | | | get their money. Birds were flying |
| cowboy shirt is a precious thing -- new boots | | | | everywhere. Clothes fell off racks."I've |
| are even better."You have to get angry when | | | | never seen a painting of Jesus driving the |
| somebody hits you so you can hit him back | | | | merchants out of the temple. The Apostle John |
| harder," says Daniel, 5.Ouch!We smile at | | | | writes that he made a "whip of chords" and |
| Daniel's honesty, but we all have this | | | | drove them out. Somehow, this image seems out |
| monster called revenge living inside. Most of | | | | of place with the typical, placid pictures in |
| us don't hit with fists. We're too | | | | most storybook Bibles.Don't try to justify |
| sophisticated for that. Gossip and slander | | | | selfish anger by rationalizing it into |
| are often the weapons of choice.If you have | | | | righteous anger. John records that when the |
| to punch something, Daniel, take a tip from | | | | disciples saw Jesus clearing the temple, they |
| Chaz, 10: "When I lose my temper, I beat up | | | | remembered Psalm 69:9: "Zeal for your house |
| my pillow and then pray."Punch and pray. This | | | | has eaten me up."Jesus was consumed with the |
| sounds like a winning combination -- as long | | | | reputation of his Father and therefore his |
| as you're punching a pillow and not someone's | | | | Father's house. Instead of a house of prayer, |
| nose.Anger can make you do crazy things such | | | | the merchants had turned the temple into a |
| as "losing your temper when someone is trying | | | | house of thieves, Jesus said. When we become |
| to be boss of your football," says Cade, 5. | | | | angry, we're usually consumed with our rights |
| Of course, some who get really angry about | | | | and reputation, not God's.Brent, 11, also |
| being boss of the football sign contracts | | | | approaches anger management in a biblical way |
| worth millions and play for the NFL.Anger can | | | | when he quotes James 1:19-20: "Let every man |
| also make you "rip up a failing paper before | | | | be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to |
| you get home and tell your mom you didn't get | | | | anger; for the wrath of man does not produce |
| that test," says Chelsea, 9.As every teacher | | | | the righteousness of God."Point to ponder: |
| knows, dogs have ravenous appetites for | | | | Jesus could have been angry over the |
| school papers, especially on the day they are | | | | injustice he suffered, but he |
| due.Lying about a failing paper or making up | | | | forgave.Scripture to remember: "Do not let |
| a dog story because you didn't do your | | | | the sun go down upon your wrath" (Ephesians |
| homework could make your mom and your teacher | | | | 4:26).Question to consider: Have you ever |
| justifiably angry.Anger is fine, says | | | | been angry because someone blasphemed God's |
| Brittani, 5: "Because when two friends get | | | | name or character?Carey Kinsolving is a |
| together, it is hard to play good every | | | | syndicated columnist, producer, author, |
| minute." Colton, 5, disagrees, "Even though | | | | speaker and website developer. To see Carey's |
| this makes Jesus sad, some people just love | | | | Kid TV Interviews and more, visit The Kids |
| to fight."Sometimes, it's small things that | | | | Talk About God website contains free, online |
| anger us, says another Colton, 5: "My mom and | | | | content for children and families. Print free |
| dad get angry when they can't decide what | | | | lessons from the "Kids Color Me Bible" and |
| they want for dinner." Sounds like a recipe | | | | make your own book. Watch for free the |
| for indigestion.Landon, 11, and others | | | | adventures of an 11-year-old girl traveling |
| provide us with digestive aids by giving us | | | | around the world, visiting missionaries in |
| tips on when it is and isn't wrong to be | | | | the Mission Explorers Streaming Video. Print |
| angry. "It is not wrong to get angry as long | | | | Bible pictures drawn by kids that illustrate |
| as it is righteous anger."Righteous anger? | | | | Scripture verses. Receive a complimentary, |
| "Jesus got angry when people used the temple | | | | weekly e-mail subscription to our Devotional |
| as a trading post," says Courtney, 10. "He | | | | Bible Lessons. Bible quotations in this |
| knocked over tables, threw everything on the | | | | column are from the New King James Version. |
| floor. I mean he got real mad," adds Bryant, | | | | |