What Are Effective Solutions to Anger?

Chronic anger and resentment give birth to cynicism, which reflects a negative appraisal of situations, people, and life in general. Cynicism produces the pessimistic view that people are not good and their objective is to inflict suffering on others. Cynicism erects walls that foster separation and alienation.

The longer cynicism is nurtured, the more intense it becomes and then evolves into lack of trust for those to whom it is directed. People whose relationships fail may develop a pessimistic attitude toward all relationships and prefer to be alone.

However, the core attribute of a believer’s faith is trust that God is at work to bring about his perfect will for you. 

So be quick to listen but slow to speak because anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose for you. As you accept this truth, your trust in Christ Jesus produces certainty that with the Lord God, all things are possible.                      

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Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and] slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].

~James 1:19-20 Amplified Bible

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Struggling with Self-deception

Self-deception is a major cause of unhappiness and lack of success in reaching obtainable objectives. One reason we cling to self-deception is the belief that transitions should be smooth and without challenge or suffering. Self-deception's message is there should be no difficulties involved when attempting a new beginning.

When the Israelites had an early chance to take possession of the Promised Land, they failed because of being overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. They refused to trust God’s promise to subdue and drive out those who inhabited the land. They chose self-deception because it complied with what they wanted to believe.

Self-deception is grounded in feelings of powerlessness when facing  obstacles. Self-deception is overcome by faith in God’s promise to help when uncertainties abound. Galatians 6:7 warns, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever you sow, this is what you will reap.” Trust and faith are based on God's promise to ensure you achieve your objectives. 

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Do not be deceived anymore; God is not to be scoffed at. A person will reap just what he sows, whatever it is. The person who sows to gratify his lower nature will reap destruction from that lower nature, and the person who sows to gratify his higher nature will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

~Galatians 6:7-8 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

~1 John 1:8-9 Good News Bible

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