What do you do with your anger?

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” - Ephesians 4:26

For most men I know, anger is the easiest emotion to access.

Many of us have been taught to suppress our feelings because our feelings can make us seem weak. So, our feelings can end up expressing themselves in forms of aggression—either outward towards others or inward towards ourselves. Sometimes both.

Anger is one of our natural, God-given emotions. And it’s important to understand that anger is often rooted in the desire for things to be made right. It can help make us aware of things that really matter to us. And it can even be healthy when experienced and expressed in mature ways. 

For many men, anger is the first and only feeling we let ourselves feel because it can be a mask for our deeper, more vulnerable emotions: fear, hurt, grief, and doubt. 

To become whole-hearted men, we must look beyond just our anger and integrate all of our emotions…our powerful emotions (like anger) and our vulnerable emotions as well.

The next time you get angry, ask yourself:  

• Is there a deeper emotion underneath your anger, one you need to acknowledge and perhaps share with someone you trust?
• Is your anger rooted in ego, offense, and revenge, or is it godly anger that advocates FOR yourself and others?

What is one way you might need to change your relationship with anger today?