I, on the other hand, feel all the rage. And I am deeply aware of that truism that anger is a secondary emotion--that it's always an attempt to protect from the deeper one. I don't know if mine is grief--there's definitely grief--or if it's powerlessness. Or maybe that truism isn't true? How does the anger on behalf of God, the anger of the prophets and of Jesus in the temple, fit into that?
But most of all... how do I figure out the sustaining fire, the quiet anger that doesn't tear me to pieces every day?
So many good questions! I recently listened to a sermon on anger and it raised more questions than it supplied answers for me. Maybe we're all just fumbling through this badly misunderstood (and often misused) emotion, doing the best we can. "In your anger, do not sin" (Eph. 4:26) suggests to me that anger is expected, but the parameters around the emotion (as with any, I suppose) require us to not let it master us. So perhaps the anger itself isn't sinful, just the possible manifestation of it? It's okay for me to feel the burn of fury as long as I can both control it and give it direction? I don't know...
I just don't know how to balance the need for the peace of Christ against the need to protest and keep the fire burning. I used to do a blog series called No Easy Answers. I think this might be one of them.
I’m just learning about the consequences of our inappropriately expressed or tragically repressed emotions. I thought for so long that good girls maintain equilibrium no matter what life throws at them… What an impossible, damaging standard. Thanks for responding!
I was raised in a more progressive church than you but I’m familiar with yours. Sadly that has controlled the political climate in our US House district. Why?
Today I’ve mopped around the house in my jammies feeling worthless. I need to get angry about some things I can change.
Nicole, again an excellent article. As a male and from a different church denomination, my upbringing was different - of course. But, I too relate to not quite knowing how to be angry. Some of the results are similar. Sadness and a desire to isolate. Perhaps it has something to do with my personality type. Or the fact that I was an eldest and felt the weight of responsibility as soon as child #2 entered the picture. And I am also angry about what is happening right now. I hope that we both can be productive and compassionate with that anger. Thank you for putting words to the thoughts and feelings.
I’m an oldest, too! I think we carry more responsibility than we realize. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hearing about other people’s experiences with anger helps me come to terms with my own.
The problem these days with anger Is the reasons to be mad never seem to stop. As a society, we're not taught how to deal with it in constructive ways. Aggressive sports like UFC, WWE, football, hockey, boxing, etc all tap into ways to channel our rage. Guns too...
We need healthy ways to handle this...in the meantime, Fox & their ilk keep making money off it.
I'm a Canadian so the recent threats against the sovereignty of our country has made me irate. I come from a Mennonite Brethren tradition so getting mad was frowned upon. When I read Rudy Wiebe's book, Peace Shall Destroy Many, it struck a chord with me.
I have a lifelong Canadian friend who now lives in the USA. We are studying the Gospel of John together and happened to be reading through the end of Chapter two this week. I read her your thoughts on Jesus taking time to create a whip of cords...a measured approach to anger. We both found your comments so insightful. Jesus's approach provides a framework for how to respond. I love this blog! 🇨🇦
I, on the other hand, feel all the rage. And I am deeply aware of that truism that anger is a secondary emotion--that it's always an attempt to protect from the deeper one. I don't know if mine is grief--there's definitely grief--or if it's powerlessness. Or maybe that truism isn't true? How does the anger on behalf of God, the anger of the prophets and of Jesus in the temple, fit into that?
But most of all... how do I figure out the sustaining fire, the quiet anger that doesn't tear me to pieces every day?
So many good questions! I recently listened to a sermon on anger and it raised more questions than it supplied answers for me. Maybe we're all just fumbling through this badly misunderstood (and often misused) emotion, doing the best we can. "In your anger, do not sin" (Eph. 4:26) suggests to me that anger is expected, but the parameters around the emotion (as with any, I suppose) require us to not let it master us. So perhaps the anger itself isn't sinful, just the possible manifestation of it? It's okay for me to feel the burn of fury as long as I can both control it and give it direction? I don't know...
I just don't know how to balance the need for the peace of Christ against the need to protest and keep the fire burning. I used to do a blog series called No Easy Answers. I think this might be one of them.
Wow. Thank you.
You probably know this, but suppressed anger can not only make someone sad, but over time it can also produce need-to-treat depression.
I like your solution.
I’m just learning about the consequences of our inappropriately expressed or tragically repressed emotions. I thought for so long that good girls maintain equilibrium no matter what life throws at them… What an impossible, damaging standard. Thanks for responding!
I was raised in a more progressive church than you but I’m familiar with yours. Sadly that has controlled the political climate in our US House district. Why?
Today I’ve mopped around the house in my jammies feeling worthless. I need to get angry about some things I can change.
Thank you…..
Best comment ever: “I need to get angry about some things I can change.” You fully understand the assignment. 🙌
Nicole, again an excellent article. As a male and from a different church denomination, my upbringing was different - of course. But, I too relate to not quite knowing how to be angry. Some of the results are similar. Sadness and a desire to isolate. Perhaps it has something to do with my personality type. Or the fact that I was an eldest and felt the weight of responsibility as soon as child #2 entered the picture. And I am also angry about what is happening right now. I hope that we both can be productive and compassionate with that anger. Thank you for putting words to the thoughts and feelings.
I’m an oldest, too! I think we carry more responsibility than we realize. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hearing about other people’s experiences with anger helps me come to terms with my own.
Yes. This. Exactly.
Thank you!
Thanks for commenting!
Thank you for sharing this! I so needed to hear this today for so many reasons—both past and present.
So glad it resonated. Thank you for reading.
The problem these days with anger Is the reasons to be mad never seem to stop. As a society, we're not taught how to deal with it in constructive ways. Aggressive sports like UFC, WWE, football, hockey, boxing, etc all tap into ways to channel our rage. Guns too...
We need healthy ways to handle this...in the meantime, Fox & their ilk keep making money off it.
I'm a Canadian so the recent threats against the sovereignty of our country has made me irate. I come from a Mennonite Brethren tradition so getting mad was frowned upon. When I read Rudy Wiebe's book, Peace Shall Destroy Many, it struck a chord with me.
I have a lifelong Canadian friend who now lives in the USA. We are studying the Gospel of John together and happened to be reading through the end of Chapter two this week. I read her your thoughts on Jesus taking time to create a whip of cords...a measured approach to anger. We both found your comments so insightful. Jesus's approach provides a framework for how to respond. I love this blog! 🇨🇦
Bravo! Anger is not irrational. Anger is powerful. Anger is human.
Oh, you have every right to be angry. But, not at some politician trying to right 200 years of government graft, incompetence and even murder.
We may have to agree to disagree. Thanks for taking the time to comment.