Real Strength

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

Are you angry or are you afraid? Discerning between these two feelings can sometimes be difficult. These emotions feed into one another—fear arises when a threat is perceived (real or not), then anger kicks into action in defense and protection. Anger and fear often blend seamlessly, and that can prove a challenge when attempting to resolve these feelings.

Fear can be real or imagined, and some fears are legitimate concerns. For example, you might fear something happening to a loved one, which is a rational fear that most everyone experiences. If your loved one is threatened or hurt, your anger would rise to the threat. This is an example of healthy anger—you are having a reaction to the injustice or threat. But if your anger overwhelms you, it can create a bigger problem than first perceived.

The goal in addressing your anger isn’t to numb it or to pretend to always be happy; the goal is learning to control the anger. All emotions require some level of control or we become governed by our feelings. Feelings and emotions are such a vital part of a healthy life. However, if one emotion starts to rule, it can cause difficulty in relationships, work, and our mental well-being.

When we experience fear, we can call upon God for courage and strength. God is with us, and remembering this truth can help us navigate our lives. When our anger is aroused, we can ask God to help us use it for good. Our courage and strength do not come from being angry; they come from abiding with God.

If one lets fear or hate or anger take possession of the mind, they become self-forged chains. – Helen Gahagan Douglas

Anger is the emotion we snatch up to avoid less comfortable feelings— confusion, fear, sadness. – Jill Herzig

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do. – Eleanor Roosevelt

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for your presence in my life. Help me to be aware that nothing I face is bigger than you. Give me wisdom and discernment to fight the battles you have for me and to know which to leave behind. 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.