Anger is an emotion of boundary; it helps us to recognize when our boundaries are being violated, and it give us the energy to protect them. But because we often repress anger, feeling it is wrong to be upset, we turn that energy inward. It doesn’t manifest itself until it makes us ill or bursts forth in uncontrolled rage. Suppression or a tantrum: are those our only choices? Can we create a healthy space where we can recognize this valuable emotion, learn from it, and use its energy to express our needs or set things right?
If we tease anger apart from its unsavory companions, contention and fury, we can give ourselves permission to enjoy anger’s benefits while avoiding its potential damage.
Anger is not contention Anger is like an orange barrel on the highway; it invites us to slow down and pay attention to what is going on around us. Anger can be our teacher. We can choose to respond to anger with contention, which will damage both our spirit and our relationships. Or we can appreciate anger’s benefits, respond quickly to what we learn, and pray for guidance to do so with humility and grace.