There are some excellent, excellent resources out there on anger. In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, we talked about anger this week. A lot of people, including Christians, have "anger issues." They have to learn "anger management." They are taught to understand their anger. I thought this little explanation of anger progression was fantastic in its simplicity. Anger is a reaction to hurt (or any kind, and it doesn't have to be to you for you to hurt). Anger simply happens. The choice comes after the anger:
That is a very easy to follow downward progression that makes a lot of sense. The longer it takes for intervention, the closer one comes to acting on his anger. But as far as Jesus is concerned, the sin occurs long before anger becomes manifest. You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. - Matthew 5:21-22 Using the convention above that anger is simply a reaction to hurt, if we apply that to Jesus' words, the sin occurs when we direct our anger at our brother. Our choice is to make our anger personal, and that is when we start the downward spiral. Anyway, I greatly appreciate that explanation of anger. The problem is - it doesn't really help me. What do I *do* to make that progression not the dominant narrative of my life and reactions? The answer is astonishingly simple, and the upward progression is just as straightforward. If resentment for my hurt is the choice that leads me down the slippery slope, what is my alternative?
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AuthorIf I ever say something in here that doesn't make sense, please ask me to clarify. It always makes sense in my head, but that doesn't necessary mean anything to you . . . Categories
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