By Dr. Don Dunlap
Pastoral Counselor
We cannot solve our anger problems in our own strength. We must cry out for Gods mercy.
Family Counseling Ministries -
People deal with anger in many unbiblical ways. As you read through the following list of
sinful responses, consider whether or not you have been guilty of endorsing
these methods of handling anger, as acceptable options.
An angry person:
- Explodes
in a rage or a fit of temper. He
strikes out verbally or physically at people or things.
- Expresses
anger outwardly by beating a pillow or another inanimate object, while
thinking, or speaking, about the person with whom he is angry. (ventilates
anger)
- Controls
his temper at work, in front of his boss and coworkers, and at church, in
front of Christian brothers and sisters, but he exercises little or no
control at home with his loved ones.
- Does
strenuous physical exercise to release feelings of anger, yet he fails to
deal with the sinful root of his anger.
- Loses
his temper and exhibits his anger by such behaviors as honking his horn in
traffic, throwing objects, yelling at people, or using obscenities.
- Seethes
inwardly and becomes bitter.
- Verbally
attacks or slanders people who persecute him or take advantage of him.
- Discusses
every aspect of his anger or bitterness to get in touch with his
feelings, and to release repressed emotions. (catharsis)
- Denies
that he is angry or bitter. (internalizes anger)
- Writes
vengeful letters to express his anger, but doesnt mail them. (combination
of ventilation and catharsis)
- Does
not examine his anger and respond biblically, but describes his anger as
righteous indignation and his bitterness as justifiable.
A Christian must never blame his anger on someone or
something else.
Many Christians justify their anger and bitterness with
unbiblical excuses. They claim, for
example, that other people or certain situations are to blame for their
anger. They believe that they are not
responsible. Someone or something
made them get angry. The truth is
that no one can make us angry. We
choose to get angry and we can choose to handle our anger in a way that is
destructive or in a way that honors God.
Still another false justification for anger is the belief
that we have a right to get angry if the circumstances of our past or our
present seem unfair. We tend to wallow
in anger and self-pity if our upbringing, for example, was less than
ideal. We have been dealt a bad hand in
life and we cant be expected to be as loving and pleasant as people who have
been given all the breaks.
When we allow ourselves to think in this manner we are
guilty of selfishly living to please ourselves. We should heed the words or Galatians 5:17, For the flesh sets
its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are
in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you
please.
We cannot solve our anger problem in our own
strength. We must cry out for Gods
mercy and grace.
When we focus on ourselves, our attempts to solve our problem of bitterness
and anger will be based on mans wisdom and will lead to further
selfishness. We must rely solely upon
the Lord and the instructions for overcoming anger that we find in His Word, if
we desire to handle anger in a way that brings glory to God.
Dr. Don
Dunlap, a pioneer in the placement of Pastoral Counselors in the offices of
Christian physicians, has conducted over twenty thousand appointments during
his ministerial career. His counseling practice includes adults, children and
families in crisis. Dr. Dunlap is committed to facilitating a network of telephone
counselors. His goal is to provide help for the many people unable to meet face
to face with a competent Bible-based counselor. For a complete library of Dr.
Dunlaps articles, indexed by topic, go to Family Counseling Ministries. You
may also make a telephone appointment for personal counseling by clicking on Family Counseling Ministries.
Family Counseling Ministries is a Christianity.com
ministry Partner.