Pain of Anger

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 NIV

Have you ever cried angry tears? Or been so mad that it caused physical pain? Anger has many different expressions revealed in different forms of pain. Betrayal devastates; grief ravages; loss of a job or health create desperation. These experiences (and more) can create deep pain that can become expressed in anger.

Many times when we’re in pain, we react in harmful and damaging ways—anything from screaming to physically hurting someone. Afterwards, the shame or guilt of our reaction causes us more pain. It seems like the pain of anger has its grip on us.

We are not immune to the effects of anger. There are moments in life when we will experience the full-on assault of pain, whether it is physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. The pain of anger not only is felt in the moment of impact but also can reverberate inside our hearts and lives for years.

Do you recognize the pain of anger in your life? How does this pain get healed? By opening the wound, or at least acknowledging it is there. Pain that is rooted in anger can result in physical ailments as our bodies react to the emotional stress. Examples of physical effects include high blood pressure, headaches, and muscle and joint pain.

Effects of anger can take a toll on our mental health and create anxiety and depression. Spiritually, we can grow distant from God, not trusting him with the situation.

As the places of pain are revealed, begin to work on healing them through prayer and counseling. Know that the healing process might cause more pain before it is done. As you do the hard work of healing, be assured that God sees your pain. He knows the injustice you have experienced. He also knows the way out of the valley and will lead you to a better place if you will follow him.

Resentment is like a poison we carry around inside us with the hope that when we get the chance we can deposit it where it will harm another who has injured us. – Bert Ghezzi

Do not teach your children never to be angry; teach them how to be angry. – Lyman Abbott

We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. – C.S. Lewis

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, my heart is hurting from the anger I feel. Please heal my heart and allow me to use the pain for good. Thank you for your strength and comfort. Amen.

Taken from 100 Days to Freedom from Anger copyright © 2021 by Stephen Arterburn and Becky Brown. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.