One Sunday morning I preached on some basic dynamics of anger that can get trapped in the soul, and two people became suicidal.  Needless to say, other pastors were dumbfounded, wondering what sort of voodoo spell might have been cast.  How would a topic like anger trigger such a response?  Isn't it amazing that if we go to the doctor and get diagnosed with cancer, there is sympathetic prayer and concern, and yet if we are diagnosed with the soul cancer of anger disorders, negative mind-sets, or emotional depression caused by bitterness, resentment or hostility, many times the response is "get over it" or "quit being so____."  In order to get over this emotion, many first need to unpack it in their awareness, so they know what they are getting rid of.

   It was easy to preach on this topic because the primary emotion of anger is woven into the human condition throughout the narrative of scripture.  Prophetically preaching to get rid of all forms of anger (Col. 3), do not go to sleep or sin while angry (Eph 4:26), vengeance is not yours to take (Rom 12:17), forgive and be forgiven (Matt 6:14), you must master it (Gen 4:7), was easy to present compared to walking others through the journey.  It is the role of representing Christ as our High Priest (Heb 12) that we will walk with people who are attempting to honor God by getting rid of current and past roots of this emotion.  The complexity is that many people have built identities on their anger responses, and the whole person - body, soul and spirit -  is involved not only in its information, but also in getting rid of it.

   For instance, how many people of faith do you know that have built identities on being "the nice boy or girl?"  They, in turn, self-righteously evaluate other image bearers who are leaking anger, negativity, and hostility and secretly say to themselves, "I am glad I am never going to be like them."  This sets the foundation to suppress and repress their negative emotions which eventually boxes them in because, in judging others, they will end up judging themselves if  they eventually have a similar response.

   Let me suggest a principle of dealing with angry people - "trying" to be optimistic, encouraging, and being joyful when somebody is filled with some form of anger is like putting a Band-aid on a ruptured artery.  It will not contain it, and "fake it until you make it" does not work with anger disorders.  We must be present and listen to others as they unpack and get rid of anger, and this is the messiest authentic spiritual growth that I know.  However, highly redemptive possibilities for transformation (morph) can be obtained.

   The reality of all emotions created by God, including anger, is that they are meant to be heard and contained in the loving embrace of an accepting and loving relationship.  This is true security.  Ideally, when anger is expressed in a healthy, direct manner, people will experience the security of a relationship that will provide more security than the anger provides.  This makes it easier to get rid of the anger because it threatens the relationship and the joy of that attachment - so it is more naturally released.  However, most people only get rid of the thought of anger and until it is felt, embraced, and explored as a trigger, it is truly difficult to let it go.  Theologically speaking, the whole image of God in us is involved in each of our experiences, and the whole image is involved when we enter the process of unpacking the emotion of anger (thoughts, feelings, wishes, voice, and choice).  When anger is voiced in the context of a secure relationship with God and others, then a person is ready to take in the good that is needed for their next step of transformation.

    The first step in this holistic spiritual journey is to embrace the truth that, in fact, we are angry and not call it something else.  Don't say, "No it didn't disappoint, frustrate, or hurt me."  Or, "It was sort of like a not so very good feeling."  Simply, "I feel angry, disappointed, frustrated, and mad when____."  For many, this is a monumental step of growth that will allow them to unpack and get rid of their anger.  Then people can get on with the second part of worship - to put on or take in the positive attributes that God provides for us in order to become like His son (Col 3:10).

    Let me suggest that if you are stuck in your growth journey, passively disconnected from God and others, lonely in self-pity, backslidden and pessimistic about God, His church, or some relationship that has drifted into a deaden state, then you need to find your anger, madness, bitterness, hostility, or whatever you call it, and unpack it, know it, and start the long journey of getting rid of it.  If you and I do not do this spiritual act of worship, it can soon morph into resentment, which in turn will morph into bitterness, which will leave roots of cancer in our souls that will defile us - body, soul, and spirit.  The real deception of this defiling is that it keeps us from taking in the very love, acceptance, forgiveness and goodness that we need for abundant living.  Perhaps more importantly, it keeps us from becoming the person God created us to be.  Therefore, it is imperative in our authentic spiritual journey to unpack anger and see the possibilities to morph (transform).