Anger

Jane has a temper that is explosive. When she and Barry, her husband, get into an argument she belittles him and calls him every dirty name in the book. She has even punched him a few times when her words did not get him to do what she wanted. Jane blasts Barry daily in front of the kids, and screams at drivers who cut her off in traffic, following them to their destination to continue her tirade. Jane has a problem with uncontrolled anger.

Anger is a normal and God-given emotion that is experienced at different times by everyone. Even the Bible says in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry but do not sin.” Anger can serve a protective function. In cases of injustice, where rights are violated, anger properly channeled can help us stand up for ourselves and others. Anger becomes unhealthy when expressed in ways that hurt others or ourselves. Suppressed anger may also come out in destructive ways.

Anger is often considered a secondary emotion, which means that it is a cover for primary emotions such as fear, insecurity, powerlessness, hurt, guilt or shame. In my Christian therapeutic approach, I try to explore my client’s anger to discover the primary emotion that is beneath it. Then I help the person examine and discover the source and then seek healing from God, and assist them in learning to renew their minds with His transformational truth.