WHAT DO I DO WITH MY ANGER? (#1)

BEGIN WITH GOD

This week, I have seen many posts from friends, family, and other writers who share these feelings of frustration, sadness, depression, and anger that I am experiencing. I hope that my writing will help those of you who are struggling along with me today.

I am generally one who is peaceful, hopeful, gentle, and joyful; I am also one who worries, overthinks, and can be sensitive or defensive. Oh, but this anger is not a natural reaction for me! Even during some very difficult days of facing fears or foes, I have not felt this depth of anger I feel now. Anger in itself is not wrong, but when it affects my natural disposition and loving spirit, when I want to “kick back” or hate another, I know that it is not healthy.

So, I am regularly asking God, “What do I do with my anger?”

The first invitation came in a podcast I heard this week. A guest on Life with God, Mimi Dixon, quoted Catherine Doherty (a Russian-born Catholic activist):

“You must never lose track of keeping first things first: to love God and know God. Out of this focus on God, what follows is much prayer, thought, and meditation–and then action. Keeping first things first will put all of your works in the right proportion.” *

I found her words to be timely and wise.

Anger often unsettles us, blurs our focus, emboldens our defensive ego, and impels us to react hastily or ungraciously. Regularly centering ourselves in God–quieting in God’s goodness, seeking peace and humility, listening with patience–will equip us with more faithful perspectives and responses when anger arises.

Anger teaches us, too. Anger reveals what is most important to us, where our passions lie, and what issues should be our priority. We also learn how vulnerable we can be to outside influences; how fragile we are in this world. By keeping centered in God, we will mature in faith and character, discern the best way for us to serve, and rely on God for strength and courage.

Anger summons us to action; but again, our right action is found by loving God and letting God transform our anger for holy purposes. When we truly turn our focus on God, our lives will more visibly demonstrate God’s universal love, for we will we act and serve from that center of love, peace, and goodwill–as we work to right the wrongs, reconcile differences, and strive for the betterment of all humanity.

What do I do with my anger? I am to begin with God.

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. (John 15:4 NRSVUE)

(In the next weeks, I will be sharing any new inspirations that come to me as I continue to ask God, “What Do I Do with My Anger?”)


* https://renovare.org/podcast/mimi-dixon-on-catherine-doherty
Photo by Karen