Anger

[Naomi]

I was told that the ONLY reason anyone ever becomes angry is because they don't get their way

Thoughts .............

[Gail]

Hmmm....

[Gail]

I suppose if getting one's way is important to that person, then s/he might get angry a lot.

[cricket]

If getting one's way is the same as wishing that the world worked according to one's own beliefs as to how it should work is the same thing, then, yep--I can see that to be true.

[Dottie]

Not getting one's way causes a LOT of anger in our house, by the minute!

[Tom Wetmore]

Not true. That would suggest an immature and selfish response. One can be angry at the actions of others that have no impact on oneself. Call it empathetic anger.

[olger]

"Taking up an offense" is what that is called, Tom.

Curiously, some people are still mad at others even though the original parties have already made up and moved on.

[Gail]

Interesting point, olger! I noticed when our kids were small that if a parent took up his or her child's battle that the kids usually made up and went on with life long before the parents did!

I like that term- taking up an offense

[Tom Wetmore]

"Taking up an offense" is what that is called, Tom.

Curiously, some people are still mad at others even though the original parties have already made up and moved on.

You are speaking of something quite different than what I am. (I am also aware of this trendy bit of supposed spiritual "wisdom" suggesting one should avoid taking up an offense of another. Sounds a bit lacking in empathy...)

What I am speaking of some might call "righteous indignation." It is being angry at injustice. I think the wrath of God is something like that too. It is His reaction to injustice against the innocent, the weak, the poor - the least of these. It should be ours too.

[Nan]

Anger is initially a feeling.....does how that feeling is expressed determine

the rightness or wrongness of the initial emotion?

[OzarkWoman]

I was told that the ONLY reason anyone ever becomes angry is because they don't get their way

Thoughts .............

I do not agree at all.

[cricket]

I was told that the ONLY reason anyone ever becomes angry is because they don't get their way

Thoughts .............

I wonder what the person who told you that meant when they said "get their way"?

[Dottie]

Nan -

I think you are right. Somewhere I read that we are to "be angry and sin not."

[Naomi]

Originally Posted By: Naomi

I was told that the ONLY reason anyone ever becomes angry is because they don't get their way

Thoughts .............

I wonder what the person who told you that meant when they said "get their way"?

Perhaps not necessarily "get your way" but when things don't occur as you believe they should ...

Anger is a healthy emotion but as with all emotions it has to be kept in check.

I am not defending the statement, but find examinating various premises quite interesting.

The more I explore various scenarios the more interesting it becomes.

[cricket]

I was told that the ONLY reason anyone ever becomes angry is because they don't get their way

Thoughts .............

Originally Posted By: cricket

I wonder what the person who told you that meant when they said "get their way"?

Perhaps not necessarily "get your way" but when things don't occur as you believe they should ...

Then, I do think it's probable that it's true that the only reason a person would get angry is when things don't occur as they believe they should. Even God gets angry when things don't occur as He believes they should.

Is there any other reason to be angry? Examples??

[LynnDel]

I am not a person to anger easily, but on the few occasions when I have felt disrespected or dismissed by another adult, that does make me angry. Is disrespect not getting my own way? In an oblique sort of way, I suppose, but that would not be my first definition. Disrespect by an adult is different from disrespect by my students. When a student does it, you have an opportunity to teach the student, in a kind and thoughtful but firm way, how to approach others effectively. A teaching moment...

LD

[monty]

Is there a differance between "righteous anger" and just plain (if there is such a thing) anger?

[olger]

I believe there is, Monty. You?

[monty]

It seems to me that in scripture when God expresses anger it is not because He is not "getting His own way" but because boundries/principles have been violated. This brings pain and destruction to the human family and He does not like to see this happen. I think it might be the same for a committed Christian

[LynnDel]

Very good, Monty. Anger on one's own behalf is very different than anger on someone else's behalf. The cause is different (selfish vs selfess), and the response is different (work for positive change vs - possibly - retaliation or withdrawal).

LD

[M. T. Cross]

"Taking up an offense" is what that is called, Tom.

Curiously, some people are still mad at others even though the original parties have already made up and moved on.

[Naomi]

I agree with Tom here. I read the news and I get furious when I read about the horrible things we do to each other. I don't simply take offense - I get genuinely angery. I don't know how people can see that stuff and not feel that rage.

Sadly after you witness quite a lot long enough, first hand you, at least I have, become numb. I do all you can in your own little corner of the world to "fix" it and accept that there is evil everywhere. I usually can deal with the issue in a practical, calm manner, but when I am alone I cry, I pray, sometimes I play the piano, work in the garden or play with my paints until it dissipates. So sad to say, that is and will be life on this old ball of mud

[phkrause]

I agree with Tom here. I read the news and I get furious when I read about the horrible things we do to each other. I don't simply take offense - I get genuinely angery. I don't know how people can see that stuff and not feel that rage.

Yes great post EC. But its not good for our health to allow these things to bother us. In the news and the papers I've been reading about this hate group of "white supremest skinheads" who have been getting themselves ready to kill Jews and minorities. But what really amazies me is that we're more concerned about what republicans and democrats are doing to this country, than what, as you mentioned, we are doing to each other. Most politicians, if not all, are only looking out for themselves, but we as people do things to each other that really is against all of Gods moral codes.