Someone mentioned sorrow and then the topic turned to anger. I got to thinking. Is there a connection between those two emotions? Anger and sorrow?
When I think of an angry person, I immediately think disappointment. For example, I see a man acting angry. My first thought is, “This man is loudly expressing his disappointment and hurt. (I wonder what he needs?)
But what emotion lives below a long history of disappointments? I think it’s sorrow. A friend recently used this example. “My parents always argued. They never made a good connection. My mom has lived all her life in hurt (disappointment) and sadness. (sorrow) Today, mom has gone from being angry to becoming bitter. (Ouch!)
Let’s review. When you see an angry person:
- OUTWARD
- He is very upset and loudly, venting, disappointment. He sounds scary.
- INWARD
- He’s been let down. Disappointed again. He feels trapped and lives in deep sorrow. And, he’s acting out the pain that lives in his soul. (Wow!)
Solution
Everyone wants a quick solution. There are none. You could try these.
- Go to church. Listen. (Almost every sermon is about how God changes hearts.)
- Pray for wisdom and fresh insights about managing disappointments.
- Stop thinking you can anger your way into a better life. You can’t!
- Sit at the feet of Jesus. Ask him, “How did love conquer his deep sorrow?”
Amen. (Please note- this is not an all inclusive discussion on anger.)