Christian Behaviour
The Way of Life
avoid anger
Human Anger God's Anger Christian Anger
 
 Human Anger
 
 

Origins and Causes

Anger is a natural emotional reaction to physical harm, or the possibility of immediate physical harm, arising from the actions of other people or things. It is an expression of opposition, directed towards the person or thing identified as the source of harm, with the intent to:
cause harm;
prevent change or cause change;
restore the prior condition should change have happened.
Anger can be right or wrong depending on the reasons for the opposition.

If the person or thing is perceived as capable of causing more harm if opposed, fear becomes dominant and the anger may be directed towards uninvolved others who will not, or cannot, retaliate.

Evil actions and injustice, even though not necessarily physically immediate in their intentions or effects, always threaten some form of physical harm, and therefore will also cause anger.

Since the harm, and the degree of possibility of harm, arising from an event is interpreted differently by different people, it is easy to see why each of us can get angry at different things. Or some of us not get angry at anything.

Anger as a response arises when someone, or some thing:
- is a source of doubt, or fear, because of perceived potential for harm, or
  conditions of dependency, or;
- has something you think you, want, need, or are entitled to, or;
- is considered indifferently, or as inferior, or;
- is disliked, or hated.
An event which at the time does not cause anger may on reflection be a source of anger as an assessment as to its nature is made. This may result in fantasies of revenge and retaliation, and possible acting out with persons or things present.

Anger can be a two-stage process. The initial reaction of anger can result in an apology by the person causing the anger. The response of anger can happen after the apology has been received, and generally follows on the estimation of the person.

Anger can be misdirected as a way of denying responsibility for your own shortcomings.

Anger may be a response to the shortcomings (sins), of loved ones, especially if you have developed a habit of responding angrily.

Anger can be more easily provoked by certain activities such as, playing games of chance and wagers, the love of possessions, gossip, and association with unpeaceable and vexatious people.

Anger may arise from chemical imbalances in the body. This imbalance may be temporary, caused by drugs, food, or contaminants. It may become permanent, as the continued input of toxic chemicals may cause irreversible changes to the brain.

Anger may arise from physical damage to the brain resulting from injury to the head, or disease.

Expressions of Anger

Directed towards others
displeasure,- cool indifference, silent withdrawal, lack of   involvement, judging falsely, (sour grapes), mocking derision or   laughter;
resentment,- slander, complaining, cursing;
annoyance;
irritation;
exasperation;
animosity,- sarcasm, verbal abuse;
ire;
indignation;
fury,- recklessness;
wrath;
rage,- violence.
Directed towards self
irrationality;
depression;
physical ailments;
self-imposed injury, - physical, psychological, spiritual;
drunkenness;
addictions.

Anger can be a prerogative of power and status. The expression of anger in a particular context is more acceptable from a person who has higher status. A lower status person is not allowed to express anger, or will experience provocation, opposition, and ridicule, if they do. A higher status person will not be further provoked, is unlikely to be opposed, and will certainly not be ridiculed. The anger will be taken seriously, and generally bring about the desired effect.     Status relationships are determined by gender, physical characteristics, social occupation, class, race, religion, you-name-it.

Anger can be a social management tool. Since in any human society, there are many groups, social management is not only applied within groups, but also by one group against another. In general the dominant group is the managing group. Where groups are in contention for the role of manager, this becomes the conflict of classes.
   Within a group, the slightest deviation from the accepted way of doing things results in a response from members of the group which can range from displeasure to rage, depending on the status of the person deviating. If the person is of the highest status the expression will be displeasure; if of the lowest status quite possibly rage.
   Across groups, the slightest deviation from the required way of doing things results in a group response which can range from annoyance to rage and violence, depending on the characteristics of the groups. The dominant group may have prejudices against the people which form the subordinate group, and the degree of anger depends on the depth of prejudice. A racist group could exhibit rage and violence against a subordinate group of the despised race, while being tolerant of, or merely annoyed at, the same mistake from a member of a subordinate group which share many of the characteristics of the dominant group.

Anger can be a business management tool. The slightest deviation from the required way of doing things results in a response which can range from annoyance to rage, depending on the characteristics of the manager and the subordinate. The manager may have prejudices against the class of people which the subordinate comes from, and the degree of anger depends on the depth of prejudice. A racist could exhibit rage against a subordinate from the despised race, while being tolerant of, or merely annoyed at, the same mistake from a member of the same race as the manager.

Anger can be a comfort zone. The physiology of anger is one of readiness for physical action which is empowering. This can be a great comfort in times of powerlessness, when you are being oppressed by people, things or disease. It doesn't have to be directed against anyone, but fantasy assists in discharging the emotion, as does kicking the cat, or smashing something.

Anger can last for a lifetime, becoming hostility and hatred, resulting in unreasoned opposition to the object of anger. Even that which the person does which might be good, rational, moral, logical, etc., is resisted, opposed, and spoiling attempts can be made. Even if the person repents, or is unaware of the fault, the hostility can remain.

Anger de-commissions the mind. Strong emotion clouds reason, which is why no decision should be made while in the grip of any emotion.

Effects of Anger on the body

Anger is felt in the body. The heart beats faster, and muscles tense. The face may go red, the teeth and hands clench, and breath may be held. Pains in the chest and stomach, as well as stiffening of the neck muscles and headache can occur. In rage, the face may contort.

Every time you get angry, the part of the brain associated with anger and aggression changes, and this makes it easier for you to get angry more quickly in the future. This can result in attitude changes towards an irritable disposition, as well as physical changes in the face and body posture.

 
 God's Anger
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Origin

God's Anger is His natural rational response to the breaching of His laws, arising from the actions of people or things deliberately ignoring His will. It is an expression of opposition, directed towards the person or thing identified as the wrongdoer, with the intent to:

punish;
prevent worsening;
cause betterment;
restore the better condition should worsening have happened;
educate others. God's anger is also directed at those who might be considered innocent, such as the children of wrong doers. Even so, God's Anger cannot be wrong.

Knowing no fear, God does not vent His anger on those who are unconnected with the wrongdoer.

Evil actions and injustice towards other people and things will arouse God's Anger.

God's Anger is a response to the sins of loved ones, if they are persistent after rebuke or counselling.

If someone God loves, or cares about, does something unjust, or evil, the first reaction is likely to be one of dismay, disappointment, sadness, or some combination of all three. Response is loving confrontation, with rebuke and counselling following on as appropriate.

Expressions of God's Anger

displeasure,- cool indifference, silent withdrawal, lack of   involvement;
animosity;
ire;
indignation;
fury;
wrath;

God's Anger is levied against those of high status as well as low. He has no favourites by human status. His anger should be taken seriously, and generally brings about the desired effect. Human beings are not always convinced, and have often suffered the extreme penalty.

God is slow to become angry, and quick to stop being angry. His anger lasts only as long as the wrongdoing persists and repentance is not made. If the person does not repent, that which the person does which might be good, rational, moral, logical, etc., is opposed, and spoiled. If the person repents the hostility vanishes.

 
 Christian Anger
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The origin, cause and expression of Christian Anger must work within the limits God has set for us. Christians do not have the right of vengeance, which is a large component of Human Anger. Expressions of Human Anger in a Christian are at best serious failings, and at worst wilful indulgences.

Calmness is a proper Christian emotional reaction to spiritual, psychological, or physical harm, or the possibility of immediate spiritual, psychological, or physical harm, arising from the actions of other people or things. It is not inappropriate for a Christian to oppose spiritual, psychological, or physical harm, although avoidance is the best course. An expression of opposition, directed towards the person or thing identified as the source of harm, should have the intent to:
avoid unnecessary harm;
prevent change or cause change;
restore the prior condition should change have happened.
If opposition would increase harm, or not prevent or bring about change, or restoration, then a Christian must decide if opposition is in Yahweh's will for them in that situation.

Evil actions and injustice, when assessed against God's standards, even though not necessarily immediate in their intentions or effects, always threaten some form of spiritual, psychological, and physical harm, and therefore should cause anger.

Since the harm, and the degree of possibility of harm, arising from an event should be interpreted similarly by different Christians, the same things should cause anger in different Christians, but necessarily to different degrees.

Since a Christian should not:
- be doubtful, or fearful, even when faced with perceived potential
  for harm, or conditions of dependency;
- have expectations of satisfaction from others;
- consider others indifferently, or as inferior;
- have dislike, or hatred for others or things;
anger as a response should never arise from these causes.

An event which at the time does not cause anger may on reflection be a source of anger as an assessment as to its nature is made. This should result in prayer and the giving up of the desire for restitution (which is forgiveness), and sharing with persons or things present.

Anger should be a response to the shortcomings (sins), of loved ones, if they are persistent even after rebuke or counselling.

If someone you love, or care about, harms you, or does something unjust, or evil, the first reaction should be one of dismay, disappointment, sadness, or some combination of all three. A desirable response is loving confrontation, with rebuke and counselling following on as appropriate.

Anger can be more easily prevented by
- avoiding games of chance and wagers, including raffles, sweeps, etc
- giving up the love of possessions,
- avoiding gossip,
- associating with peaceable and righteous people, and
- taking your situations to Yahweh.

If after all actions are taken to avoid anger, and anger remains, then dietary, physical or environmental factors should be examined. Adverse spiritual influences should not be discounted.

Expressions of Christian Anger

Christian Anger should only arise after breaches of God's laws have been properly and prayerfully assessed, and directed towards others after confrontation, rebuke, and counselling have all failed to change the anger causing behaviour or attitudes.

Directed towards others
displeasure,- cool indifference, silent withdrawal, lack of involvement;
annoyance;
irritation;
exasperation;
ire;
indignation;
wrath;

A Christian with power and status, (if this is actually possible), cannot justify the expression of anger solely as the prerogative of power and status. The anger so expressed will be taken seriously, but will bring God and Christ into disrepute.

Anger cannot be a used as a social management tool by Christian groups, either within groups or against other groups.
   Within a group, deviation from the accepted way of doing things should result in a loving response from members of the group, based on 4 steps.
  1) get the 5W facts.
What was done? When was it done? Who did it? Why did they do it? Where did they do it?
   This procedure has the effect of tempering the emotion, and engaging the mind.
  2) interpret the facts.
Did the action cause harm, or did it have the potential to cause harm? Was the action contrary to God's will? Do you have the right to rebuke? (do you have clean hands?)
  3) confront the person.
Face the person and bring the matter to mind. Describe the action and the actual and potential effects on others. Indicate a course of action which will correct the situation.
  4) act.
If the person apologises or repents, no action is needed other than forgiveness, and possibly counselling. Otherwise, express the anger to the degree appropriate for the action. In some congregations exclusion is used, and this avoids increasing degrees of anger.
The person's status should not have any meaning.
   Across groups, Christians must be tolerant of behaviour not conforming to the Christian Way, even though not in accordance with God's laws. If Christians are the dominant group, then tolerance need not be exhibited, but Christian standards of behaviour must be applied. Prejudice must be avoided.

Anger should not be a business management tool in Christian run businesses, or used by Christians in roles of employee, servant, or slave.

Anger should never be a comfort zone. A Christian should always be ready not only for physical action, but also spiritual action. The spirit will empower the physical. This empowerment, will be a great comfort in times of apparent powerlessness, when you are being oppressed by people, things or disease. Kicking the cat, or smashing something, will never occur.

Anger should last for only as long as the offence persists, but never become hostility and hatred, with no unreasoned opposition to the object of anger. That which the person does which might be good, rational, moral, logical, etc., should not be resisted, opposed, or spoiling attempts made. If, and when, the person repents, the anger should be immediately dropped. If the person is unaware of the fault, confrontation may be called for.

The Christian mind should never be clouded by emotion.

 
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