Does Anger Arise From Your Frustrations?

“Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah” 2 Samuel 6:8

    My thorn in the flesh is continually poking and prodding me, making anger my constant companion. My illness robs me of joy by continually flaring up. It is unwelcome and unwanted. The anger from it is waiting in the wings ready to pounce in every situation.

    Anger is a challenge for some of us, driven and rising because of our illnesses or other frustrations. We would like to be free of it, but like a leech, anger doesn’t want to let go of us.

    Frustrations can keep your emotions raw and irritated, a sort of inflammation of your feelings. Too many times I have looked back on my angry emotions and reactions and realized they were far out of proportion to the situation that triggered the angry response. Even when I know the response was fed by my frustration, it doesn’t help.

    Too often, loved ones and friends are affected most by our emotional responses driven by our frustration. It is challenging to reign in strong emotional responses and avoid words that hurt those who love and support us.

    Yet it does no good to bury our emotions or to pretend we are not upset or angry. I think we must be honest about our emotions. And we must also recognize that the anger we think we are feeling toward loved ones, or are blaming on certain situations, is too often arising because of our ongoing frustrations. It is coming from the constant tension we are under.

    You may be feeling angry and upset today. Perhaps the root cause of your emotional response has more to do with your stress and frustrations than any person or situation. Ask the Lord to help you work through these feelings, and to be honest about why you are truly upset.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to properly deal with our emotions, and not take our anger out on others, but to give our strong emotional responses to You. Amen.