How Difficult Is It to Trust the Anger of Others?

Maintaining an attitude of anger over an extended timeframe can be emotionally and physically costly. In addition, an angry attitude has a negative impact on those who constantly are within range of its expression. It’s difficult to trust a person who is subject to having outbursts of hostility, either verbally or physically.

Anger is costly, for it robs both the possessor and the one to whom it’s directed of the trust and intimacy necessary for a healthy relationship. Have you noticed how even pets will react with distrust and fear at the sound of an angry voice and attitude?

It’s incredibly important to discover the root of your anger. There’s a solution for anger, and that is to turn it over to God. He will do what is good and right for you and for the one to whom your anger is directed. God’s word advises, “Do not hate. Do not seek vengeance or bear a grudge, but love others.” So turn your anger over to God right now.                      

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…My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess them to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

~Psalm 32:4-5 The Living Bible

God, pick up the pieces. Put me back together again. You are my praise!

~Jeremiah 17:14 The Message

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How Is Anger Affected by Control Issues?

There are occasions when it seems every area of life is producing stress or anger. Stress is a common trigger for anger and builds up over a given period of time. God’s word warns against letting the sun set on anger, for tomorrow will bring new stress to be layered in on what you went to sleep with the night before.

So own up to stressful, angry feelings before closing your eyes to sleep. Sleepless nights often are caused by stress and anger internalized with no acceptable solutions. Even if sleep comes immediately, peaceful slumber may be fleeting as the mind resumes seeking solutions to the day’s stressful events.

Stress and anger can be relieved by realizing your lack of control in particular situations. Entrusting into God’s care what you can’t control is honorable. Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are burdened down and I will give you rest.” Responding to Jesus’ call will help you continue celebrating Thanksgiving weekend.   

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This day belongs to the Lord! Let us celebrate and be glad today. …Tell the Lord how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.

~Psalm 118:24,29 Contemporary English Version

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How Does Anger Affect Your Energy?

Anger can be a heavy drain on our emotional and spiritual energy. Predictably, anger is a reaction to stress which can come from many sources, like preparing for holidays. Prolonged anger may create a negative attitude causing inordinate stress on the body, mind, and spirit.

In some instances stress can be a positive influence, but when boundaries are pushed, anger may flare up. If children are not getting their chores finished and time is lost focusing on personal interests, then anger may blaze for non-compliance with parental expectations.

Anger can be costly emotionally by contributing to a day coupled to a foul mood. So explain your desperation and need for assistance. Seeking after righteousness is a powerful tool for taking the edge off stress and anger. Remember, God‘s mercies are new and fresh every morning, Take a moment and receive them. Have a  blessed Thanksgiving.  

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Light shines on the righteous, and gladness on the good. All you that are righteous be glad because of what the Lord has done! Remember what the holy God has done, and give thanks to him.

~Psalm 97:11-12 Good News Bible

All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

~2 Corinthians 4:15 New Living Translation

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What Are the Triggers for Your Anger?

It’s impossible to avoid experiencing anger, whether it comes from within yourself or from others. Anger may appear as discontentment about a minor issue that needs an explanation and clarification. Everyone has faced razor-sharp anger when their physical well-being was questionable.

Anger is triggered when the emotional fiber that stitches us together appears fragile. Anger can be triggered by inconvenience, but it’s usually triggered by the perception of endangerment. It’s normal to respond with anger when frightened by uncertainty. Misinterpreting someone’s attitude and behavior also is a trigger for anger.

We live in a world overflowing with stress that steals away our joy. Therefore it’s incredibly important to focus on the joy Jesus Christ gives to those who seek his righteousness and peace. So why not focus on this gift of joy from Jesus as you celebrate Thanksgiving.  

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Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Contemporary English Version 

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What's the Purpose of Healthy, Productive Anger?

A state of anger exists when individuals embrace indiscriminate power to hurt and alienate those who should be loved and respected. When anger is turned loose in an emotionally charged setting, the objective is to damage those responsible for the problems.

For some, this defines justifiable anger, but it comes from a person who’s determined to protect and defend their vulnerable self. For that person, anger is now rationalized as an offensive measure designed to get even by means of punishment. Anger and punishment then embrace each other as allies.

Healthy, productive anger management, however, determines to use this powerful emotion for creating solutions for all involved. Listen to Psalm 85:10: “Love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will embrace. Human loyalty will reach up from the earth, and God’s righteousness will reach down from heaven” to those who determine to be peacemakers. Will you? 

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A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. ...God doesn’t miss a thing – he’s alert to good and evil alike. Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.

~Proverbs 15:1,3-4 The Message

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How Are Solutions for Anger Discovered?

When anger becomes intense, feelings of love and affection gradually diminish. The old cliché, “Love conquers all,” is true if anger is not used as a weapon to diminish another person’s self-image and integrity. Angry feelings signal emotional hurt and disappointment.

Continuously obsessing about anger rarely produces desired results but rather ratchets up anger to a higher level of intensity. Seldom is the trouble associated with anger resolved without teamwork and the help of the one to whom the anger is directed. When anger’s objective is to punish, it can destroy a relationship.

Solutions for anger are discovered by communication between the offender and the offended. It takes courage and God’s grace to approach either the offended or the offender. Ask God for self-control, courage, and the words to describe your hurt feelings. Refrain from condemning your offender by remaining in prayer until you have the grace and mercy to forgive.                   

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Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

~Matthew 5:6 The Living Bible

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How Are Expectations Related to Anger?

Anger is an emotion that can be triggered instantly with little effort. There are numerous triggers for anger, including unmet expectations. Have you ever waited for someone, and after what seemed like an eternity, they finally showed up? They blamed traffic, but you suspected something else.

Feelings of neglect can be transformed quickly into anger, especially when a lame excuse for being late is interpreted as lack of care or respect. Even if anger is controlled and stifled, it can be impossible to keep it from being expressed passively, as in silent body language.

So what could be a possible solution to anger when someone does not live up to reasonable expectations? Psalm 78:38 describes God as restraining his anger to prevent its full expression. This model can help manage anger until a time and place become available to express it verbally in a calm, healthy way. God’s way is the best way. 

           

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People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.

~Proverbs 14:17 Good News Bible

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