Why Is Anger Turned Inward So Unhealthy?

When asked how she expressed her anger, an elderly woman replied, “I always keep it to myself so no one is hurt.” She had made an appointment with her physician to determine the cause of persistent abdominal pain. Tests revealed she suffered from a severe ulcer in the lining of her stomach.

She told her doctor she had felt neglected by her grown children since the death of her husband. She felt abandoned and alone but was compelled to keep her anger and hurt feelings to herself. However, anger turned inward can be, and was in this case, the cause of physical and emotional suffering.

There is a better way and that is to communicate to significant others what initially hurt your feelings, that has now transformed into anger. “In your anger do not sin.” So when you are on your bed at night, search your heart for courage to be honest. Ask God for opportunities to be honest about your hurt feelings and anger. He will answer your prayer.         

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You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him. Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think [and meditate] about it overnight and remain silent.  

~Psalm 4:3-4 New Living Translation

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Inner Conflict? Let God Help - Part 1

Anger is a common emotion experienced by everyone. Out-of-control anger can destroy marriages and friendships. Anger turned inward, kept hidden or expressed in subtle ways, tends to isolate people emotionally. Anger causes inner turmoil that’s expressed as irritation with self and others. Inner conflict can be disconcerting, making peace difficult to achieve.

Someone observed that anger is analogous to “meeting the enemy, and it’s us.” We can be our own worst enemy. Benjamin Franklin’s wise counsel is to “Love your enemies for they’ll tell you your faults.” When our defects are hidden, we become vulnerable to anger whenever someone comes close to identifying those faults.

God’s word encourages Christians to confess their faults and sins to trusted Christian friends. When inner conflicts produce too much personal strife, seeking professional help can be God’s way of helping you heal from the wounds that produced the anger. You can trust God always to be at work to bring you goodness and peace.