Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful weekend and time to regroup and get refreshed. We will be setting up for the Birthday Party this morning and going to Costco for the cake. Only 4 birthdays this month but the community room will be filled.
Dear Ones,
Anger is one emotion that all of us, including Christians, may have a hard time to admit feeling. We think we are more spiritual if we block out anger and don’t admit to it, but there is such a thing as appropriate anger. It’s good and healthy to allow ourself to feel anger and take responsibility for it, for then anger can actually become useful. As we learn to share anger in an appropriate way and deal with it, we show that we are honest and genuine and seeking to live a healthy life.
We all need to admit to our anger rather than cover it up. We can ask ourselves what we are so angry about and with whom, then express that anger appropriately in the right manner. We needn’t be ashamed of being angry, for Jesus was angry at times with his own group of followers as well as the scribes, the Pharisees and others. Appropriate anger is healthy and we always need to guard against either overreacting or underreacting. When we overreact everyone around us realizes we are angry but when we underreact, we suppress our anger and are not honest with ourselves or others. People who cover up their anger often have physical ailments like headaches, depression, ulcers, colitis, chest pains, etc. Repressed anger will come out somehow when it is not addressed. We may have outbursts or overreactions and explode. But anger can also be expressed in silence and coldness towards the other, and this is not healthy or being honest in our relationships. It may also show up spiritually, with us feeling weighted down by the meaninglessness of life and we end up feeling distant from God.
It’s important we understand that its all right to be angry, then get over it and let go. We don’t want to stay angry or it will take its toll on our body and on our relationships with others. Perhaps we are afraid to tell someone we are angry, fearing they will get angry with us. Anger doesn’t mean violence either, for that is anger out of control. But anger says that you care to be real with me and it’s an act of concern. Sometimes we get angry at God, but He is able to take it. When we are honest, genuine and express appropriate anger, it helps us live a genuine, vibrant life and we learn to trust and love one another and the Lord.
Challenge for today: The next time you are angry, speak up in the appropriate way, not to change the person but to live in openness with them. Psalm 4:4 Be angry and do not sin.”
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy