“Anger isn’t wrong, but it is a warning sign that something isn’t right in your world. It’s there to alert you for your protection. Staying on alert for too long and acting under that pressure is where problems often occur. Assess your situation, control your responses, and act constructively.”- Phil Waldrep
Phil Waldrep concludes Chapter 7 of Beyond Betrayal as he discusses four ways to process your emotions and channel your rage in a constructive way.
1. Express your feelings in prayer. The author states that he often tells people the Lord = the best place to vent your anger. Because the Lord already knows about it. While it’s unwise to obsess about your betrayal, do tell God how you feel. In addition, Phil finds it incredibly helpful to pray over the Psalms when we have pain in our lives. In the process, we realize that we’re not alone.
2. Insert a pause between your emotion and your response to others. The old adage to count to ten before responding represents good advice. However, the remedy truly centers on giving yourself more time to choose a rational response. Not the counting to ten.
3. Continue writing in your journal or writing poetry or song lyrics. As the author encourages, the more you write, draw, or pray, the more your emotions align with reality.
4. Avoid other people who are angry. If you’re part of a group betrayed by a leader or by a member of that group, the betrayed members only want to talk about one thing. When they gather together, they want to rehash the details of the betrayal. But, the Bible comes down hard on gossip for a reason.
Engaging in gossip is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Therefore, joining in such conversation provides an unhealthy way to process anger or disappointment.
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you heed any warning sign of danger? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Love well: a place of self-respect”
