Taming the Anger Dragon
Written by Louis Brancaleone, Psy. D. and published on 21-May-2009.
"BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN"... (NASB-Ephesians 4:26a).
This scripture highlights some of the complexities associated with anger. On the one hand, we are actually commanded to be angry. This indicates that anger is a God-given emotion that we are to acknowledge and respond to in a healthy, godly way. However, the second phrase of the verse indicates that how we handle our anger could be considered sinful.
How can we learn to handle our anger in a healthy, godly manner? Let me suggest the following steps that result in a growth-producing and healing process:
ACKNOWLEDGE: Realizing that anger is a God-given emotion, it’s important to become willing to acknowledge when we are angry. Anger that is not acknowledged and addressed can lead to many forms of physical and emotional illnesses. In some cases, depression can be a manifestation of "anger turned inward." Additionally, many stress-related physical illnesses have been found to be associated with suppressed anger.
ANALYZE: After acknowledging our anger, it’s important to do the painful work of analyzing the reasons and sources of our anger. Some sources of anger may be (1) blocked goals and unmet desires (experienced in frustration); and (2) feelings of personal assault and/or injustice.
SEEK GOD’S WILL: Upon analyzing the reasons and sources of our anger, it then becomes important to seek the Lord’s will for a proper response to our anger, asking for His wisdom and guidance. Anger is not to be held inside, vented, displaced or distracted from. To respond in a healthy, godly manner, anger needs to be faced directly, and choices need to be made regarding our responses.
RESPOND AND RELEASE: When a proper response becomes known through prayer and counsel, we then seek the Holy Spirit’s strength to follow through with that response. When necessary, we need to learn how to release our anger.
SURRENDER: Lastly, it’s important to learn how to surrender the outcome to God’s sovereign will and plan for our life.
