Thursday, April 21, 2011

Where does anger come from?

Christian counselors claim that some 50% of the people who they counsel are dealing with issues related to anger. Anger can shatter communication, tear apart relationships, it can ruin our health.  Some people have left a wake of wounded people in their past because of their anger.  And for some – they’re not the angry outburst type – but they have held on to anger for many years and it’s like a cancer that kills their ability to love people and worship God and it’s rotting away any opportunity that they have at healthy relationships moving forward.  


However, anger is not just damaging, it can also be good; even godly. In fact, Ephesians 4:26 - BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN.  The bible acknowledges that we will be angry and there are things that should fuel a righteous anger in us (when we see cases of injustice for example).  

As best as I can tell there are three major originators of anger (this is not scientific but simply from my experience). 


1. Unmet needs (usually unspoken) – this is prevalent especially in marriages
2.  Feelings of violation/ injustice/ humiliation
3.  Lack of control/ Fear
    What are some other causes of anger?  What did I miss?

    1 comment:

    Unknown said...

    I just finished reading a book entitled "The Anger Workbook" by Carter and Minirth. Outstanding book about anger from a Christian perspective.