The Positive Aspects of Anger

Anger: a strong feeling of displeasure and usually a response to an actively expressed opposition or hostility.

Anger is a healthy emotion designed to alert us that something is wrong.  However, healthy anger assumes, and more importantly, requires that you, yourself, are a healthy man.  Unfortunately, most men have never learned to experience and express anger in a healthy manner.

Many men use anger to hide feelings of hurt and fear, because being hurt or fearful aren’t “comfortable or manly” emotions.  Hurt and fear generate feelings of vulnerability; unhealthy anger conversely gives the illusion of maintaining power or control.  All the while, concealing your true feelings and consequently blinding your ability to identify the wrong that’s been done.

If anger is a healthy emotion, how do a man experience and express anger in a healthy manner?

In his book, “Overcoming Destructive Anger,” psychologist Dr. Bernard Golden, shares great insight, wisdom, and recommendations that I use to guide the men struggling with managing their anger.

Dr. Golden observed that there are very positive aspects of anger and defined specific skills that are essential for the practice of experiencing and expressing “healthy anger.” These include the following:

1. Healthy anger means observing and experiencing anger without being overwhelmed by it and reacting to it.
2. Healthy anger means recognizing our anger as a signal to explore the feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations that precede it.
3. Healthy anger means viewing anger as a signal to direct our attention inward to identify our core desires, needs, and values.
4. Healthy anger calls for developing self-compassion, which includes skills to enhance our sense of safety and connection.
5. Healthy anger includes developing strategies to let go of anger, which may include forgiving others and yourself.
6. Healthy anger encompasses compassionate practices that don’t cause suffering for others or for ourselves.
7. Healthy anger means learning how to communicate assertively with others.
8. Healthy anger enhances our resilience and overall well-being

Becoming the healthiest man that you can be requires that you learn to experience and express emotions in a healthy manner that includes anger.  How well you handle anger can make or break your relationships. If you struggle with anger, I recommend that you seek help from a trusted mentor, coach, or counselor.  Remember, unhealthy anger blinds us to the truth, thus not something you should try to “fix” on your own.

I hope this blog has proven to be helpful.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to join me here at UnbreakableBond.org.  Check out some of my previous blogs like: “Letting Go of the Guilt, the Value of Forgiving Yourself,” “The Courage to Ask for Help,” or “Healthy Masculinity: Not a One Man Show.”

I hope today’s blog has encouraged you.  Make sure you sign up to receive blogs posted every Tuesday and Thursday. TransformingFamilies.org resources are designed to guide you through the restoration process of developing your heart, mind, and strength, enabling you to become the man God created you to be.

I also provide one-on-one coaching, if you want to improve your relationships, let’s connect through e-mail at ‘rturner@transformingfamilies.org’.  My hope for you is that through these blogs, references, and resources, God will transform you from being bruised or broken to an abundantly blessed man.