By Dr. Don Dunlap
Pastoral Counseling
We “get angry” when an irritating or provoking incident triggers an emotional response wit
Family Counseling Ministries -
There are certain physiological changes that occur within
our bodies when we react in anger.
Unbiblical anger takes a heavy physical toll on our bodies.
When an irritating or provoking incident triggers an
emotional response within us, we “get angry.” Tension and stress begin to build
and our bodies release adrenaline and other chemicals. Our breathing rate
increases and the rate of our heartbeat accelerates. As blood pressure rises,
brain responses are significantly reduced. Anger intensifies such senses as
sight and hearing for a brief time.
The volume and pitch of our voices may change and we may
experience exaggerated abilities, such as a burst of extra strength that we
would not otherwise possess.
When we handle anger in a sinful manner, we can feel the
physiological changes occurring in our body.
When we do not handle anger biblically, it takes a toll on
our bodies. If we do not control our anger, or when we harbor bitterness and
unresolved anger in our hearts, we risk suffering many negative physical,
mental and spiritual consequences.
Some disorders that may develop when we express anger sinfully
are gastrointestinal problems, recurring headaches, respiratory disorders, skin
diseases, arthritis, urinary tract and circulatory disorders, disabilities of
the nervous system, sleeplessness and emotional disturbances.
God does not permit us to make excuses for an anger problem.
He wants us to overcome it in His strength.
Once we become aware of the fact that we have a problem
with a particular sin pattern in our lives, we should ask God for the grace to
take measures to overcome it. It may be helpful to consider the following
truths and practical steps for conquering the sin of anger.
We begin by genuinely repenting before God and before
anyone else who has been affected by our anger. We should make a list of the
people that we have hurt and offended. The next step is to go to each one of
them, individually, in a spirit of humility and ask for their forgiveness.
As we humble
ourselves before each person, we must be sure to specifically identify and
repent of the sin of anger.
Second, we begin a war that we expect to win. Many
Christians expect to lose the war with anger, but they hope that by trying to
overcome their sinful responses they will at least reduce their number of
failures. This approach gives the flesh a foothold—a “backdoor” for defeat.
It also negates God’s command to His children to be
disciplined and wholeheartedly dedicated to fighting sin. The writer of Hebrews
12:3,4 states,
Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so
that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you
have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
If we take a half-hearted approach to conquering sin, we will
be defeated before we begin.
Resisting sin involves a total commitment of our minds for
victory, whatever the cost. In Daniel 1:8 we find that Daniel “purposed in his
heart that he would not defile himself.”
When we purpose to win the war with anger, God will turn every
defeat that we encounter into a revelation for our spiritual growth and
progress. He will show us the hidden causes of why we fail. He will use our
defeats to show us our utter need for Him.
God’s promise that although we may lose some minor
battles, we will win the war ought to encourage us. Our losses should serve to
increase our determination to press on faithfully toward victory in Christ
Jesus. If, however, we do not truly expect to win the war, every small defeat
will discourage us.
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. Dunlap’s 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
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