Friday, July 10, 2009

Dealing with Anger

From time to time anger is one of those emotions that causes us all some grief. The manner in which we communicate our frustrations in marriage will endear or repel our mates from us. The question we have to deal with is this: how do we relate to this challenging emotion?

Before addressing this question the Scriptures has some guidance for us. Paul instructs us, '"In your anger do not sin". Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" (Eph. 4:26-27, NIV). There are three things that may be deduced from this passage.

For one thing, anger in and of itself is not wrong. Throughout the course of the day there are a myriad of things which may cause us to feel anger. Of course, anger has varying levels of intensity. Dean Williams described these as "word weights". You may speak of being irritated, hurt, annoyed, upset, frustrated, enraged or ready to spit nails, but the common denominator is anger.  Yes, there is a world of difference between a person who is hurt and one who is enraged, - the difference being intensity.

Next, there is a call for resolution. Did your wife's third reminder to mow the lawn time because  cause you to feel a bit irritated? Or do you feel hurt when your husband's only words to you in the evening is, 'where's the remote"?  If so, then God has commissioned His people to deal with their frustrations. (Here's a hint: if we do not deal with the things which irritate us, then they can accumulate for a major problem at later date.)

Finally, the goal for dealing with anger is to resolve it before our heads hit our pillows. If we are all honest, there have been more than a few times when we have nursed grudges we have had. When anger resolution is delayed, the Enemy gets the victory, and we are distanced from our life partner.

Being angry is not sinful, but the misappropriation of this tricky emotion is. At no time is our anger justified merely so that we can "vent" on our unsuspecting, and often times, innocent mate.

It's your choice!

What do you think?

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