When we talk about anger, it’s important to clarify what we mean. Anger can be positive and is actually an attribute of God. It is manifested in His response to disobedience, or the righteous indignation stirred up by injustice. And like any other attribute of God, it is good. But there’s nothing good about the kind of anger that warrants Anger Management. This form is ungodly. It’s a deadly force, a toxic emotion.
The term Anger Management makes me think about the workplace. I am a supervisor, and anger is my employee. I’ve been assigned an employee who is prone to insubordination, and disregards company policy. If I don’t do well managing this unruly worker, I am sure to see a drop in morale, reduced productivity and high personnel turnover. In other words, when I am slack in my duties as boss, it will adversely affect the way I feel, the way I function and the quality of my relationships. Well, if that’s the case, then I have no desire to be anger’s boss and manage it. I’m called to be anger’s taskmaster and enslave it!
Anger Enslavement
When the Apostle Paul spoke about the flesh nature, he said, I beat my body and make it my slave (1 Corinthians 9:27). Anger is part of our flesh nature, which should be under our constant authority. We are to control it and not the other way around. This is why the term management is inaccurate, at least from a biblical perspective. Good managers make time for dialogue. They listen to the employee’s grievances and complaints. Good managers seek feedback because they value the employee’s perspective. Now do you see why the term is misleading? There is really nothing to discuss with the flesh nature. I don’t negotiate with it, and I try my best to ignore its point of view. If I were to create a job description for my flesh nature, it would have a single duty: stop rearing your ugly head!
Anger: More than a Feeling
Anger is detrimental to our health. It can destroy our mental and emotional wellbeing, but scientific research shows it’s also harmful to our physical bodies, particularly the heart. This is why I devote an entire chapter to the topic of anger in my book Spiritual Secrets to a Healthy Heart (Siloam). There is solid evidence from the medical community which confirms what most have suspected all along: left unchecked, anger can be deadly.
Click here to listen to Dr. Kara Davis’ interview on anger and its effect on our health.
Going from MANAGER to TASKMASTER
Are you tired of being a manager? Have you tried unsuccessfully to control this hostile and stubborn employee? Then you should know the steps required for promotion to taskmaster. The first is to FORGIVE. If we cling to past offenses we’ll find ourselves stuck in the role of ineffective manager. Bitterness and resentment will disqualify us from advancing to taskmaster. Don’t forfeit your promotion. Think about your total health, body, mind and spirit and let it go.
