Directional Anger

One summer I came back to ONU for Marching Band camp, and I was prepared to do some hard work. When I first arrived, I felt no emotion. For about three or four days, I was merely existing, never happy, sad, angry, or any other emotion. Then one day, someone said or did something that suddenly made my emotions snap. I was flooded with anger, and had nothing to do except stand at attention - I thought about being a jerk for the rest of the night to vent my anger, and I thought about letting my anger simmer until I couldn't stand it anymore. Suddenly it occurred to me that I should direct my anger and force it into something positive. I pushed past my anger and focused it into being the best marcher I could be. I turned my anger into self-discipline, concentration, and strict standards. Suddenly, anger left my focus, and I was reminded of how it feels to do well and be proud of myself.

The way I heard it, I always thought God disapproved of anger. That never made sense to me, since anger is such a natural feeling, and not always easily controlled. Even God is angry sometimes. But over the years I have realized it isn't necessarily the emotional aspect of anger.

A lot depends on how we respond to our anger, if we let it control us, and if we dwell on it. If you get into a wrestling match out of blind rage . . . that's not so good. But if you refocus all your energy that comes from your anger to be positive, it can become self-help, volunteering for others, or deepening a relationship with Christ.

Another trick I've learned and used, especially this past summer, is that when I become angry or frustrated and have no outlet for it, I journal to God. I'm not the best at verbalizing feelings, but when I write, everything comes out clearer, and when I write to God my frustrations, it helps me to feel more like He understands me. By the time I'm done writing my letter, the initial fierce anger has passed, and I can move on.

Not everything works for everyone, so I encourage you to find a positive outlet for your anger, so that you can direct yourself to a calmer, happier, more useful you.




"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control"
-Proverbs 29:11

"He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction."
-Proverbs 17:19

"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered."
-Proverbs 17:27