"Anger Tips"

Anger is a powerful emotion. It will not be repressed. You cannot jam it down into your psyche without some repercussions. Some folks handle anger by repression. That is dangerous and unhealthy because that emotion will emerge in some other form. Venting anger only distances others from us. Confessing anger can be a release. We range in our reactions to the anger we feel from the fever of rage to the frigidity of hate. What is obvious is that anger, real or imagined, is too dangerous to be ignored.

James, a follower of Jesus Christ wrote, “You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.”

Anger Tips!

1.       Don’t rush to judgement. Slow down. Pick a future date to settle your disagreement. Take time to cool off and reflect.

2.       Long, slow burns are seldom effective. Getting mad is one thing but remaining mad is seldom therapeutic.  The Bible says, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.”  What does that mean?  It means don’t go to bed mad.

3.       Ask yourself, what is the most redemptive thing to do?  Every confrontation gives us the opportunity to be bitter or better. Talking about my anger with a trusted friend has often enabled me to put things in proper perspective. Letting a slow burn happen only adds to the carnage.

4.       In the midst of your anger, what did you discover about yourself?  Making peace with your anger and allowing others to express their anger is a step toward reconciliation.

Jesus said it, “Forgive seventy times seven.”  Four hundred and ninety-seven times ….. it is hard to keep track of that many offenses!

Blessings!