[This is my first post of three in my “Vintage Wednesday” series on “Getting Ticked Without Sinning,” re-written/updated from a blogpost back in March of 2011.]

Sometime ago my wife and I were returning from an anniversary getaway. While enduring a rather lengthy layover in Chicago's O'Hare, we were startled to see a man get kicked off his flight. After a United agent had checked his boarding pass, this young man had thrown a rather rude comment over his shoulder while entering the jet bridge. Apparently he had had enough that day with flight delays, re-routes, gate changes, etc. That brief retort, however, cost him his flight; a manager rushed onto the plane and forced him off. Cursing and yelling, this angry traveler demanded his rights and berated the gate agents while his flight continued to board without him. He finally stomped off down the concourse in a fit of rage.

I'm sure most people present thought he was a complete loser, and, in some ways he was, especially that day. But I couldn't help putting myself in his shoes and feeling his pain. He had been pushed to the edge, and had snapped. Has that ever happened to you?

I vividly remember when I once “lost” it. It also happened right before I boarded a flight. I was still single, traveling in China with a group of guys. Struggling with culture shock and fear of getting apprehended by the authorities, I came unglued when a security agent asked me to open my bag. I pretended I hadn't heard, put my head down, and forged ahead toward my gate. Of course I didn't get far. Amazingly, they held the plane for me while examining my bags. After a brief investigation, they let me board without further trouble.

I remember my embarrassment; my overwhelming sense of guilt for having left such a terrible testimony. I also did a lot of repenting that evening—before the sun set.

Ephesians 4:26-27 gives us some directives on handling anger. “In your anger do not sin,” Paul says. “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Next week I'll further unpack this text. For now, just a simple question: How have you dealt with your anger—your negative emotions when pushed to the brink?