ALL ABOUT ANGER

Anger is energy expressed emotionally. It can be expressed both internally and externally. Internal or passive anger, which is not always easily identified, may be directed towards an event, a living object or even a memory.  Disappointment, doubt, failure, fear, guilt, hurt, indignation, misery, pain and regret to name a few, can all generate anger.  Visible gestures, reflexes, responses and reactions may be indicators of anger.  Anger has a dialogue that crosses between hurt and pain.  Anger can create a tension that is comparable to a rubber band stretched out and then retracted again and again.  Anger in and of itself is just like any other expression including love.  How we deal with it is what this writing is all about.  In the form of wrath and revenge it becomes a destructive force. In the form of expectation and motivation it works on our behalf.  Anger is not one of the seven deadly sins, wrath is. Just as love is not an issue in our relationships with one another, misappropriated worship and idolatry is.  Angers existence as a messenger gives us perception into the gravity of an offence.  To provoke another to express anger or allow ourselves to be provoked to express anger is where we must draw the line.

Anger can be triggered.  One of the triggers is impatience.  The frustration arising out of failure, fear, hurt and injustice without instant or anticipated resolution may cause us to express anger.  Today's culture & consciousness of instant gratification spawns, develops and accepts more rage then ever before.  Rage is a fight or flight response raising the adrenaline level enabling previously untapped strength and endurance.  We now clearly see angers aggression within our homes, schools and government.  There is a big difference between an irresistible impulse and an impulse not resisted.  The lack of self control can be expressed emotionally, physically and environmentally.  Without developing the coping skills to balance and counteract the effects of our "buttons being pushed" we often resort to reactive behavior.  The expression, pushing my buttons, identifies and defines exactly where the power in our lives resides. Where are these buttons? Who's buttons are they?  Who controls the buttons?  Who do we ALLOW to push them?  Why are the buttons exposed?  Through repeated episodes of losing our temper a level of conditioning takes place that can justify our outbursts. Denying the power to control ourselves (the buttons) gives us an excuse and subconscious defense for inappropriate actions that may escalate out of control.

It is unbecoming to impose our standards upon anyone.  Calm, charm and charisma are the antidote to crass and contention. It is wrong to condone angry behavior by saying that anyone is just being him or herself. On many occasions we justify our thinking and behavior by labeling the situation as a pet peeve.  So what is a pet peeve?  A pet peeve is the perspective we use to give us permission to perpetrate a poor personal position.  Whether it's in traffic, in comparisons, in competition or in conversation we vindicate ourselves by allowing our "pets" to do whatever they want to without consequences.  Even after the damage is done we stroke the fur of our ego with excuses for the outlandish behavior exhibited by our spoiled pet.  Everyone knows that if we don't train our pets they will in turn train us to accept their actions.  So cleaning up behind a dog not house broken becomes ok.   There should never be an acceptance of anger by anyone from anyone.  As a society we have made a grave error by embracing it.  Our elected officials, police officers, employers, bosses, supervisors, teachers, parents, students, children and society at large believe falsely in a God given right TO BE angry!  Today we have multiple labels to describe these episodes. The labels are not as important as the culture and consciousness of its existence.  Whether we call it bipolar, passive aggressive, narcissism, manic or any other name it has a component of anger involved.  We must never justify any cause to act out of anger.  First, second or third degree murder is still murder.

There is so much more to be said about ANGER.  The masks of anger are many.  How we disguise or suppress its expression is a direct indication of our personal self control.  We do not honor God with any expression of personal anger.  Don't coin the phrase of righteous indignation, "the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." (James 1:20) There is no such thing as righteous indignation! There is almost always some element of revenge in our anger.  The desire to teach a lesson or set someone straight is simply a way to vindicate our actions.  Anger caused Moses to break the first tablets of the ten commandments and kept him from entering into the promised land. (Numbers 20: 1-12) ​ Even Moses in his anger misrepresented the nature and character of God.  Believe it or not anger is one of the most unrecognized sins rooted in pride.  There are no special circumstances, conditions or situations for anger.  I've observed parents disciplining their children through anger, instructors correcting their students through anger and management addressing subordinates in anger. I am not alone I've included a link to another article I read regarding anger after I began writing this post. The number one principle I try to follow is that in the mouth of two or three witnesses therein truth will be revealed.  Search this truth out personally.  This is one of the reasons I have changed my OPINION regarding the spanking of children. Read this link. https://concordiatheology.org/2015/10/the-myth-of-righteous-anger-what-the-bible-says-about-human-anger/.   So many of our habits and behaviors correlate to, connect with and are profoundly interrelated.  Not being aware that we are in error denies us the opportunity to address the causes various behaviors.  In conclusion anger rightly belongs to God. It is not ours to have, hold or express even if the recipients of our anger seem to rightfully deserve it.  True and righteous judgement must be free from the bias of emotional involvement.  This is the foundation of jury selection within our justice system.  We are human BEINGS and will most certainly experience anger, but should never sanction it or glorify it in ourselves or in others regardless of the circumstance.  Anger can be lethal if left untreated!  Deal with it.