
Anger is a powerful emotion, often misunderstood and mishandled. In Chapter 4 of Good and Angry, David Powlison asks the crucial question: “Is it good to be angry?” Anger, as he explains, is not inherently wrong. It can be a righteous response to injustice or evil. However, when it stems from self-centered pride or disordered priorities, anger reveals the sinfulness of our hearts. I recently experienced this firsthand during a seemingly mundane moment on the slopes, and it was both humbling and eye-opening.
The Incident on the Mountain
It was a perfect day for skiing—fresh snow, and great slopes. I was carving down the mountain, enjoying the flow of speed and control, when it happened. A snowboarder came out of nowhere, collided with me, and sent me flying through the air. My pride—and my body—were bruised. In my mind, I had almost lost both an ACL and an MCL, all in one collision.
I lost my cool. Turning to the man, I let my frustration spill out in sharp words. “Slow down! Don't you see the slow signs? Do you even know how to control yourself out here?” I snapped. He quickly moved on, leaving me fuming in the snow.
Later, as I reflected on the incident, I realized my anger wasn’t just about being knocked down. It was about something deeper—something hidden in the recesses of my heart.
Why Did I Get Angry?
Powlison teaches that anger often reveals what we value most. In this case, my anger wasn’t really about safety or the disruption of my ride. It was about me. My pride caused my anger. I valued being seen as someone who “does it right.” I take pride in being an expert—knowing the rules of the mountain, skiing safely, and maintaining control. When that snowboarder knocked me over, I felt my superiority had been challenged.
In my heart, I worshipped my abilities, my knowledge, and my “right way” of doing things. I demanded respect, not because I deserved it, but because I wanted to preserve an image of myself as the one who knows best. In that moment, I valued my pride over humility, grace, or the other person’s dignity.
God’s Design and My Misstep
Anger, as Powlison explains, can be righteous when it mirrors God’s justice and love. But my anger wasn’t righteous. It wasn’t motivated by concern for others or even by a desire to honor God. Instead, it stemmed from pride—my insistence on being right and being acknowledged as such.
God’s design is not for us to wear our superiority on our sleeves or demand respect from others. Instead, He calls us to humility, to love, and to recognize that all our abilities and “expertise” are gifts from Him. By clinging to my pride, I missed an opportunity to show kindness and grace and even share Jesus with him, this unsuspecting man, even in a frustrating situation.
How Can I Right This Wrong?
Though I’ll never see that snowboarder again, I can still respond in a way that reflects God’s design for me. Here’s what I’ve resolved to do:
Confess and Surrender My Pride The first step is admitting the root of my anger—pride. I must surrender my desire for superiority to God, acknowledging that my worth isn’t found in my expertise or how others perceive me, but in being His child.
Pray for the Snowboarder Even though I’ll never cross paths with him again, I can pray for him. I can ask God to bless him, to protect him on the slopes, and to forgive my harsh words. This act shifts my focus from myself to the other person.
Practice Humility Moving Forward The next time someone makes a mistake or disrupts my day on the mountain, I will choose humility. Instead of reacting in anger, I can respond with patience, remembering that I, too, make mistakes and rely on God’s grace daily.
Reframe My Perspective Powlison encourages us to use anger as a mirror, reflecting on what it reveals about our hearts. This incident has reminded me to value humility, grace, and love over my own sense of “rightness.” I need to worship God, not my abilities or image.
Anger is a signal, a tool God uses to show us what’s going on in our hearts. My frustration on the mountain revealed my misplaced priorities—valuing pride over people and worshiping my abilities instead of my Creator. But God, in His kindness, uses even these moments to refine us. Through confession, prayer, and humility, I’m learning to let anger lead me not to destruction, but to redemption.
Questions for Reflection:
When have you experienced anger revealing something unexpected about your heart?
How can you use moments of frustration to reflect on what you value and worship?
What steps might you take to turn sinful anger into an opportunity for growth?