Is There Hope for Displaced Anger?

Anger is often referred to as a harmful emotion for it can produce words that cut to the bone and behavior capable of destruction and death. I’m reminded of the adage that asserts, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Anyone who believes these words is either in denial or out of touch with reality.

Words spoken in anger can inflict pain and suffering, while destroying trust and the desire to be close and affectionate. Whether anger is spoken in harsh, cutting words or acted out physically, the most appropriate feeling should be guilt for using this emotion as a destructive weapon.

Misguided anger may be directed toward God if he’s perceived as holding the rod of punishment. God’s mercy allows for flawed beliefs as he waits for his people to mature and seek forgiveness, which he grants without hesitation. The best antidote for anger’s poison is God’s unfailing love and his wisdom.  

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Dear friends, let us practicing loving each other, for love come from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better.   

~1 John 4:7 The Living Bible

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Loving Demands Sacrifice

When Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of soup, Genesis 25:34 tells us he then despised his birthright and looked at it with contempt, believing it was worthless. His attitude was a defense for acting impulsively to satisfy his immediate hunger. We’ve all been guilty of acting impulsively, then dealing with consequences that tend to linger on indefinitely.

A young man told of an incident where he met a colleague in a bar and after several drinks, took her home and spent the night. Later he began to loathe and despise the young woman. Looking at his own weakness was too difficult to manage. Esau’s attitude should have been loaded with shame and guilt for having been so careless.

Jacob could have acted toward his brother with love by giving him the soup. Esau might have responded by expressing his gratitude and appreciation for such a loving act. When you love, you give something of yourself, of what you possess, and you show what it means to be effective as a human being whom God has blessed. God commanded that we love one another. 

Surrendering to the Savior

CONTROL is an issue every individual and family is forced to address. Control is sought directly, indirectly, passively or aggressively, and could involve a combination of any of these. This very day gang wars are fought to control a turf in our cities. Most control disputes are settled either by surrender and defeat or through negotiations.

The struggle for control in families can literally be a bridge to destruction. Control by harsh, demanding threats or physical abuse is usually a shallow victory that only reflects momentary compliance. Respect, honor and legitimate submissiveness are lost because the controller is no longer seen as trustworthy.

Control and healthy boundaries are a necessity in every social situation because of the need to establish order. However, honor and respect for others is the bridge for diminishing unnecessary control. God’s Word tells you to love one another, to be kind and gentle for this builds a bridge to healthy order in any relationship.