Anger is a complex and compound phenomenon. It is often misunderstood and mixed up with other types of responses or reactions. Anger can be perceived as a feeling, an attitude, a state of mind, a position, or a wave of emotions. It also can be considered a mere temper, wild impulse, or acting out behavior. Some theorists classify all types of A emotions as signals or indicators, while others categorize them as pure phenomenological energies. However, anger should be seen as a spectrum of reactions and feelings ranging from the mild to the severe. It may be a case of irritation, frustration, being upset, resentment, hatred, madness, aggression, hostility, violence, or rage.
The basic form of anger is necessary for survival and normal development. It is often referred to as righteous indignation, resilient energy, or positive aggression, which ultimately fortifies the ego, strengthens the self, and empowers the personhood. Those who have been undermined, mistreated, or even oppressed need a good amount of positive energy and tough assertiveness to regain their sense of being in charge and to reclaim their dignity in life.
Family history, religious background, and sociocultural heritage normally define anger and regulate the appropriateness of its expression. What is acceptable in one custom may be totally unacceptable in another. For example, in some Eastern communities, the family’s needs and honor come before those of the individual. So demanding one’s own needs or defending one’s own rights first would stand in sharp contrast with the traditions and values of the community (totally opposite to Western norms).
People need help in self-awareness to discover the source and magnitude of their anger. Questions like, “What makes me upset or resentful?” and “Why do I get so easily frustrated?” help clarify whether it is a manifestation of selfishness and narcissism or a mobilization of necessary zeal on an existential level to face violation, stop injustice, and overcome evil. There is a difference between situational- reactive anger (due to temper or impulses) and stored-accumulated anger (due to long-term mistreatment). Often the oppressed, bereaved, or traumatized become angry at life, at self, at others, and at God. It takes courage and insight to direct the anger toward the right source(s). Retroflection is turning anger inwardly, i.e., doing to oneself what one wishes to do to others. Unfortunately, this can lead to chronic bitterness, emotional crippling, despair, and suicide ideations. In most Christian circles, the questions that are frequently posed include: Is it unspiritual or even a sin to experience and express any form of anger? Should anger be considered always negative and bad? To answer we must clarify again that anger may come in different shapes, forms, degrees, and intensities. We must also differentiate between the emotion proper on the affective-internal level and the reactive expression on the outer-public level. Actually, the outward manifestation of anger can be either destructive or constructive.
Tensed, controlling, and conflicting situations can be better resolved when the issue is approached in a calm, serious, rational, and yet firm way. That helps the angry people to better focus on the issues and remain somewhat objective. Thus, containing and further defusing any heated exchanges, overreactions, or potential explosions. On a foundational level, anger should be considered as a natural human emotion that is inherent to our mental, social, and spiritual functions. It is an integral part of our psychological structure and cultural background. Essentially, some degree of anger can serve healthy purposes if generated for good reasons and expressed in the right channels, like some fear for safety, guilt for clear conscience, anxiety for good performance, and stubbornness for better determination. However, anger can also be exaggerated, misused, or abused. For many people, extreme anger is easy to resort to for tension release or to rely on for personal gains. Others are totally uncomfortable with even mild forms of anger; therefore, they avoid, suppress, or substitute it with other means. Invariably, when a normal and necessary amount of anger is consistently and chronically suppressed, individuals tend to become depressed, highly anxious, physically ill, or addicted to unhealthy habits. It is imperative to reexamine our belief systems and rediscover how Scripture portrays anger and what God has to say about this sensitive yet vital part of our life experience.
Naji Abi-Hashem, Ph.D., is a Lebanese-American clinical and cultural psycholigist and an ordained minister. He is involved in international service, missionary work, writing, teaching and counseling.
