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Dealing with Anger
Wrestling with relentless foe
Everyone knows what it’s like to become angry. It’s an inescapable part of life. Even the most laid back, peaceful person knows the intensity that can seize you in a moment.
Some struggle with anger more than others. The expression “anger issues” highlights the perpetual wrestling they experience. And what’s interesting is that some people who struggle with anger are those you would never think.
Being honest, I’ve dealt with anger my entire adult life, since high school. (I’m being vulnerable here.) People who know me would never guess that. I hide it, control it, push it down deep, don’t show it…unless I’m alone. My favorite superhero is the Incredible Hulk. I get him.
But suppressing anger takes its toll. Perhaps you know what I’m talking about.
Anger is a reaction to something you don’t like. There is such a thing as righteous anger. But oftentimes, our anger is not; we just don’t like something.
Most of the time we know what causes our anger. We can point to it and say, “That pisses me off!” But sometimes you’re angry and you don’t know why.
Emotions are like that at times. They’re complicated. Have you ever seen someone crying and asked them what was wrong, and they said, “I don’t know”?