Free Keeping Your Cool…When Your Anger Is Hot!: Practical Steps to Temper Fiery Emotions by June Hunt Page A

Mental and Emotional Well-Being
    There is a big difference between occasionally getting angry and being an angry person. Getting angry when circumstances call for it is a natural response, whereas being angry most of the time is a precursor to a psychological enemy that stalks millions of people: chronic depression.
    In fact, numerous studies confirm anger and depression go hand in hand, particularly when we get angry with ourselves.
    What a sad and self-destructive price we pay for anger. The truth is that anger and depression feed each other in a relentless downward spiral of despair. The angrier you become, the more depressed you feel. The deeper you sink into depression, the angrier you feel.
    Fortunately, God has provided a way to clear up this convoluted concoction. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” 18 What do we learn from what Jesus has modeled for us? To let go and to forgive.
    The evidence is clear: Unresolved anger is toxic to the human heart, mind, and body. To live the life God intended, your anger simply must be poured out into the Refiner’s fire. Allow God to burn away the damaging dross that has accumulated from years of anger, resentment, and bitterness.

6. Anger Hinders Our Christian Walk
    God gives you permission to be angry. He never says, “Thou shalt not ever be angry!” He made you in such a way that expressing anger is a natural, spontaneous part of being human—like laughing or crying. What He does say is don’t sin and don’t stay angry. Specifically, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” 19
    Why is it important to resolve anger before you lay your head down at night? What opportunity does prolonged anger give the enemy of our souls? Just how does nursing hostility leave the door open for evil to creep in on us?
    Imagine you are visiting the home of a dear friend. You both look forward to an evening of laughter and conversation. In the living room is a fireplace with a raging fire.
    The fire is too hot for the small room, and right away, you start to sweat. It’s hard to breathe. You move your chair as far from the flames as you are able, but before long you can’t focus on a single word your friend is saying. All you can think about is that fire and how uncomfortable you are.
    That’s exactly what raging anger does to our relationship with God—it dominates, while our spiritual vitality diminishes. As long as our anger burns, it’s next to impossible for us to concentrate on anything else. The raging fire in our anger bowls becomes the center of attention.
    The Christlike walk comprises in part love, forgiveness, humility, and prayerfulness. There is no place for unresolved anger in the mix. Here are three reasons why:
    • Anger suffocates our motivation to love our enemies. It is okay to be angry—on our way to forgiving our offender. Unresolved anger drives us toward revenge, not reconciliation—toward hatred, not love. However, Jesus unequivocally says, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). (This is not emotional love. The Greek term Matthew 5:44 uses for love is agape, which refers to a commitment to doing what is best for the other person.)
    • Anger smothers our motivation to pray for our enemies . The longer we fume over some offense, the harder it will be to pray for those who have hurt us. In fact, typically, the last person we want to pray for is the one who has hurt us. Yet Jesus, who understands your anger, says, “Pray for those who persecute you.” 20
    • Anger stifles our motivation to surrender to God’s will. Rage is an attempt to control the people and events in our lives and make them bend to our desires. It’s necessary to tame the flames before you can expect to sincerely say to God, “Not my will, but Yours” (Luke 22:42).

    So…what