Three serious emotions are mentioned in this verse — “anger,” “fury” and “jealousy.” They’re all also noted as hurtful — “cruel,” “overwhelming” and, then, the question “who can stand before?”
“Anger” and “fury” are listed together as similar emotions. We all know from personal experience the terrible qualities and results of both.
Being the object – or even just collateral damage — of another’s anger or fury is no fun. But my own anger or fury is not a pleasant place to find myself, either! We’d all live better without either of these qualities around.
But “jealousy” is suggested here to be even worse. While, at first glance, it might not seem as bad as anger and fury. But, above all else, jealousy is simply selfish and self-serving.
So, the message of this verse? We would do well to recognize those people who regularly demonstrate any of these three qualities. Then we’ll need to decide what we might want to do about it.
It would be best if people whose lives revolve around anger, fury or jealousy be avoided. Admittedly, circumstances may be such that we’ll need to continue dealing with them.
So we can at least be prepared for their ways…and, hopefully, respond appropriately.
Even better, it would be great if we can recognize any of these qualities when they appear in us! We’ll just need to face it, deal with it and, then, let it go!