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by Lynette Hoy, NCC, LCPC
All of us have experienced anger. Some of us have cringed under the rage in our families, struggled with it in our souls, felt it toward our friends, co-workers and loved ones. Some of us have shocked others with
volcanoes of anger. The evidence abounds that we live in a mad, mad, mad world.
A recent study showed:
23% of Americans openly express their anger.
39% say they hold it in or hide it.
23% say they walk away.
23% confess to having hit someone.
17% admit they have destroyed someone's property out of anger.*
* Study cited in What's Good About Anger, by Lynette Hoy and Ted Griffin.
What does the Bible say about anger?
While anger is potentially harmful, the Bible contains examples of how God was able to accomplish His purpose through angry people.
Nehemiah writes about his angry reaction to social injustice in Nehemiah 5:6-7. He took positive action to confront oppressive officials in Israel and reverse injustice.
Paul provides instructions regarding anger in Ephesians 4:25-6: "In your anger, do not sin.. do not let the sun go down on your anger."
Practical strategies for handling anger
When a co-worker says harshly: "You didn't let me know you were going to lunch early and I ended up taking all the calls!" or when your boss states indignantly: "You didn't finish the contract and now, we've missed the deadline!" rather than lashing out in anger, and defensiveness or concealing your anger, you can pray for Christ to help you respond with a gentle answer, and
assertiveness such as:
..."I am sorry that you had so many calls while I was gone. I did mention to you that I would be going to lunch early this morning. Any ideas on how we can avoid this situation in the future?" ..."Say more about the contract deadline please? I understood the deadline was tomorrow."
When you are able to control your anger, it may help diffuse the other person's anger and promote respectful dialogue. Take a risk this week and ask God to turn your anger into a gentle assertiveness. Learning
strategies to overcome anger - a prime relationship enemy - will get you further down the road to success in all your relationships.
~ Lynette J. Hoy , NCC, LCPC, is a Marriage and Family Counselor and National Certified Counselor, author and speaker. She is the Executive Chair of the Chicagoland CBWC: Connecting Business Women to Christ organization. Lynette is co-founder of CounselCare Connection, P.C. providing online & office counseling for individuals, couples and families. Lynette regularly presents marriage, assertiveness, grief and divorce recovery, anger and stress management seminars. You can read her story online.
©2004 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC
Read Lynette Hoy’s book, What’s Good About Anger? It can be ordered online at: www.whatsgoodaboutanger.com or Amazon.com.
Visit Mrs. Hoy’s other sites: www.counselcareconnection.org/pages/Lay-Counseling.html; www.counselcareconnection.org ; www.lifecareweb.com.
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