God's Coaching #362

God's Coaching #362

Duke University men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski wasn’t just miffed or annoyed. He was, in his own words, “really angry.” On this day in 2010, Mike didn’t like what he saw from his team in practice. The Blue Devils were about to hit the road to face the University of North Carolina–Greensboro, and Mike wasn’t happy with how his players were adjusting to the loss of injured point guard Kyrie Irving. Maybe the Blue Devils were a little overconfident. At the time, they were the defending national champions with an 11-0 record and a No. 1 ranking. Or maybe they were distracted by the fact that Mike was about to become the second-winningest coach in NCAA history.

No matter. Mike lit into his players, telling them they were soft, spoiled, and unprepared for the rigors of the upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference portion of their schedule. “That’s why I got angry,” Mike later told a reporter. “I’ve been blessed with the ability to get angry. Anger is good when you use it to make something better.”

What’s the Score?

Mike’s coaching abilities are unquestioned. His success speaks for itself. The Bible wouldn’t say getting angry is something you’re blessed with. In fact, the Bible consistently tells us to avoid anger. Proverbs 27:4 says that “anger is cruel.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, “Anger labels you a fool.” Ephesians 4:31 and Colossians 3:8 command us to get rid of anger. James 1:20 tells us, “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” And Psalm 37:8 clearly says, “Stop being angry!”

Occasionally, situations might arise in which anger isn’t a sin. If a bully hits your little sibling, then anger is understandable. But even in these situations, Ephesians 4:26 reminds us, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Instead of showing anger, we should show patience and love to others. After all, isn’t that what God has done for us? The Bible is filled with references to God’s anger, but his is a righteous anger because God is holy. That’s good news for us, because sin angers God. But rather than punish us in anger, he showed us love and compassion by sending his Son, Jesus Christ.

On the Ball

To avoid sinning in your anger, try pausing, taking a deep breath, and thinking before you speak or act.

Coach’s Comment

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. Psalm 37:8