Anger

Anger is the wind that blows out the lamp of the mind.

Ever Been Angry?

Dumb question, I know. But picture this: a puppy darts in front of your car, and you slam on the brakes. That’s what anger feels like.

Anger is a physiological surge of arousal—your breathing quickens, your eyes narrow, and your hearing sharpens. In those moments, you turn into a giant hammer looking for a nail. The problem? Sometimes you are the nail.

• Anger turned inward becomes depression.
• Anger turned outward becomes rage.

Either way, your body hijacks your mind in an attempt to regulate itself, pulling you into fight-or-flight mode. And tragically, some people live stuck in fight-or-flight every single day.

So, should we get angry? Of course. Anger is human. But we must learn how to direct the hammer wisely—toward something that builds rather than destroys—so we don’t harm ourselves or the people around us.

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Application:

What is one healthy way you can direct your “hammer” today—some action that releases your anger without hurting yourself or anyone else?