Toxic Positivity Explained
“We are what we think.” This is a statement society has been told and it is true, we are all a product of what we think, how we view ourselves, and our life circumstances. To get out of hard situations, we must believe we can do so in the first place. Positivity and optimism have been credited with helping people live healthier lives, be more productive, and have better mental states. Toxic positivity, on the other hand, is another matter, entirely.
Positivity becomes toxic when it is expected to be the only emotion we feel or experience no matter what it is we are struggling with in the real world. In a world of constant positivity, it is imposed upon us to always look to the bright side. No matter how dire a situation is, we are encouraged to only feel happy and positive in all situations to the exclusion of all other emotions.
This unrealistic expectation backfires as people struggle to reconcile how they truly feel and what society is telling them they should feel.
Effects of toxic positivity
Everything should always be done in moderation. Positivity is not wrong; it only becomes toxic when people are instructed to live in a way that is contrary to their makeup. As human beings, we are designed to feel a whole range of emotions depending on the situation at hand. No emotions should be favored above others.
All emotions are data informing us of our internal processing and helping us decide how to act, this is for our survival. However, if we chose to ignore so-called negative emotions and only focus on the positive ones, below are some of the effects:
- Lack of compassion or empathy for oneself or others.
- Shame and guilt for feeling hurt, broken, grief, depression, etc.
- Less resilient due to inability to face hard situations and emotions.
- Invalidate our emotions and those of others if they are not positive.
- Re-traumatizing because of not being given space to share hard situations.
- Mental health issues because of not seeking help due to shame and guilt.
- Suppression of emotions can lead to emotional burnout.
- Stigma toward those struggling and thus not offering help when they need it most.
- Inauthentic living because it is unrealistic to be happy, positive, and optimistic all the time.
- Unhealthy coping mechanisms like taking drugs or alcohol to try and numb the feelings one feels they shouldn’t experience in the first place.
- Gaslighting toward oneself or others occurs when we deny the reality of hard emotions even when they are appropriate, leading to being unsure about our own experiences and feelings.
- Lack of growth and accountability occurs because of not addressing mistakes or failures honestly, but they are glossed over with positivity and hence never hold themselves accountable.
Our ability to live in a world that is sometimes painful, unpredictable, and harsh lies in our ability to face these realities honestly for us to be resilient and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
For us to show compassion and empathy toward ourselves and those around us, we must first acknowledge that good emotions also exist with hard emotions. Those hard emotions are not to be denied. It is said, if you bury an emotion, you bury it alive.
When to seek help
If any of the above feels familiar, if you are in a place where you have never known how to share your story authentically and evaluate your feelings freely without judgment do consider getting in touch with our offices. A counselor can provide a safe and free environment where you can be authentic and gain helpful tools to deal with any hard situation you might be facing.
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Repurposing Failure: Overcome Insecurity and Rebound In Resilience
The goodness of God remains constant, though the challenges we encounter in life will vary with time and circumstance. Our human tendency is to become discouraged by this inherent paradox. This is why encouraging ourselves in the Lord is a sacred act that defies the gravity of what would otherwise plummet us into despair, hindering resilience.
We have to remind ourselves to look up and see God again, recognizing that falling is as much a prerequisite to success and resilience as getting up. While this is part of life, fear of failure can sometimes set us back from what started as momentum for working toward a shared vision with God.
Failure, the prelude to resilience
Failure is a non-negotiable part of life. We are often loath to admit that reality. Whether we learn from our own flaws or observe someone else’s lesson, we can access the wealth of insight that experience provides.
Where we previously encountered failure and insecurity, we can develop confidence and resilience. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher. He will reveal how to make present pivots and redirect future results.
While failures are built into any process, we can also survey our own lives to see where they benefit us. Mistakes generate opportunities for reflection, helping us to notice our choices.
Unpacking and exploring failure familiarizes us with some of the thought patterns and processes that led to our outcomes. When we have stumbled upon a learning experience instead of an anticipated win, we can tease out areas to tweak and adapt our approach for the next time.
Challenge doesn’t eclipse the vision or negate what the Holy Spirit may have revealed. However, God is wise. He knows that unveiling the entirety of His future for us would overwhelm us and destabilize us with details that we don’t control.
The area where we do have influence is in our decision to acknowledge God’s promises, follow His process, and enjoy His partnership. There are always a handful of spiritual truths and practical principles that can guide our daily decisions as we move forward.
Acknowledge the God of promises
Of course, the enemy would want us to spend more time looking at the past than walking with God into our future. Easily, we could become consumed by it and miss the joy of His Presence and the faithfulness of His promises, even when our vision stalls.
Taking inventory notes of what has contributed to our experiences without belaboring every stumble. We can begin again by considering what worked instead of over-emphasizing what didn’t. The Holy Spirit will equip us with wisdom to get up and build again with Him if we ask. We can incorporate the past’s lessons so we can experience refreshed hope as we move into our future.
Follow the process of resilience
As we abide in the present, we must remember to acknowledge our small beginnings. Despite the roadblocks faced as Jerusalem’s temple was being rebuilt, the prophet Zechariah encouraged the people to celebrate their small wins. God rejoices when we acknowledge His present goodness in the process, though we haven’t seen the final outcome (Zechariah 4:10).
The Father calls for us to be thankful, as gratitude benefits us, fostering the joy and confidence that stifle insecurity and anxiety (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Though faults coexist alongside the good to be celebrated within, God’s glory won’t be seen because of what we lack or possess, but rather in the Savior who has us.
Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. – Psalm 115:1, NIV
Embrace divine partnership
The science of gratitude has revealed that it quells anxiety and results in a calmer and steadier heart rate. This is evidence for building joy with Jesus into our journey that could otherwise feel arduous. We will feel the pinch of circumstances, even when we are faced again with the potential to fail. Yet, as much as there is an opportunity for failure, faith appropriates limitless possibilities.
The key is a partnership with God and daring to believe. While we cannot control the past circumstances that led to instances of failure, we can decide that dread and fear will not influence us into a refusal to try again.
Next steps
Embrace gratitude despite the failures you encountered. While you may have hesitated to go forward, remember that the Lord is calling you to advance in hope. Wherever you are in your experience with the fear of failure, you can rebound in resilience and overcome the insecurity that has prevented you from launching again.
You can discover grace and the growth you long for. The counseling services we offer can help you on your journey. Make an appointment today to upgrade your confidence and change your life.
Sources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/comfort-gratitude/202007/gratitude-helps-curb-anxiety
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Premarital Counseling for Today’s Couples
If you are considering premarital counseling, you are in good company. As many as 44% of today’s couples choose counseling before the wedding. Why are couples choosing counseling at this time, a time when they feel so in love? Why not wait until they really need it?
Why couples choose premarital counseling
It used to be the trend that couples would only seek counseling if the marriage was in trouble. Marriage counseling is a wonderful way to work through issues, but some problems can be avoided altogether with premarital counseling. Preventing a problem or knowing how to work through an issue can save you time, money, and heartache.
Christian premarital counseling seeks to resolve issues before they appear and arm you with skills to deal with problems and temptations. For example, some married couples hit a snag a few years into the marriage after the newness wears off and responsibilities become heavier.
Schedules may conflict, and arguments can ensue. The temptation to escape or look for another person can feel overwhelming. Premarital counseling prepares you by working around conflicting schedules, prioritizing the relationship and intimacy, managing anger, resolving conflicts, and avoiding temptations that can destroy the marriage.
Discuss the commitment of marriage
The sanctity of marriage is the foundation of any union. If you want your marriage to last, then you need to place importance on it. Prioritizing the relationship and forgiving the other person are essential tasks.
Living with another person is not always easy, and words may be spoken harshly. However, these words and behaviors should never become abusive. Abuse is another matter. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek help immediately.
Work out financial details and living arrangements
Before the wedding, discuss where you plan to live now and in the future. For example, do you want to purchase a home or rent while you build your career? How will you manage the finances?
If your partner volunteers to manage the financial accounts, make sure you know what income is coming into the home and the expenses. A financial advisor can also help you clarify questions about saving, investing, budgeting, and financing significant purchases like a house or car.
Work through conflict
Some couples skip premarital counseling because they are so in love and they believe that love can conquer all. In a sense, this is true. However, anytime humans live together, there is bound to be conflict. Counseling teaches you the skills to resolve conflict and defuse arguments before they reach the breaking point.
You also learn how to recognize scenarios that can lead to bad choices. Our thoughts lead to our emotions which in turn influence our behavior. If you know how to change your thoughts (your perceptions) about a situation, you are less likely to react impulsively.
Rash decisions or actions can destroy a marriage. Even if neither of you has an anger issue, counseling can help you work through tough situations together.
Contact us today for a premarital counseling session
If premarital counseling is a good fit for you, contact us today. Most couples receive eight hours or less of counseling before the marriage. We can work with your schedule for face-to-face or virtual sessions.
You can increase your chances of having a long-lasting and successful marriage by preparing in advance and gaining the necessary skills to weather any storm. Contact us today for your first session.
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5 Tips For How To Relieve Anxiety
Anxiety can range from the mild everyday variety where you have butterflies in your stomach, to the mind-numbing and crippling sort that prevents you from leaving your room. While anxiety and the fight or flight response that is triggered by it are good things that help protect us from potentially dangerous situations, some anxiety can be excessive and debilitating. We need ways to relieve anxiety.
If anxiety is getting in the way of you living your life, you should go and see a doctor or a mental health professional because you may have an anxiety disorder that requires proper diagnosis and treatment.
How to Relieve Anxiety
With the milder forms of anxiety, there are ways to relieve it without having to resort to medication. Making certain lifestyle changes will help immensely in getting anxiety under control and relieving it when it’s affecting you. Below are 5 tips for how to relieve anxiety :
Understand what triggers your anxiety.
Some people get anxious in public settings, while others are triggered when they drink too much coffee. Knowing what triggers your anxiety can help you relieve it by addressing the root cause.
The point of knowing your triggers is not to avoid them necessarily, because avoidance can make the anxiety worse. The aim is to prepare for situations that may be coming up by getting in the right frame of mind.
Learn anxiety-reducing techniques.
When anxiety sets in, having some tools in your back pocket to address it helps immensely. Deep breathing techniques, visualization, counting slowly from 1 to 10, progressive muscle relaxation, and prayer or repeating your favorite Bible verse can help you calm down by focusing your attention away from the situation.
Once you’ve mastered these techniques, you’ll be able to deploy them in various situations and relieve anxious thoughts and feelings.
Get creative.
Another way to relieve anxiety is to work it out by focusing your attention on art, gardening, sewing, or playing a piece of music. Being creative not only gives you an outlet for anxious thoughts, but it can increase your positive emotions such as joy while engaging the parts of your brain that process emotions.
Take care of your body.
Get some exercise, get good rest, and be careful of what you eat and drink. Some foods trigger anxiety, like processed foods, caffeine, sugary drinks, and alcohol. Your mental health is intimately connected to your health in every other area, so give yourself a fighting chance against anxiety by being holistic in your approach to your wellness.
Going to bed at a consistent time is a simple but effective part of your sleep routine that can make a world of difference. Exercise can take your mind off things, and it releases those feel-good neurochemicals that elevate your mood and help you feel calm.
Get help.
Talking with someone like a friend or a professional such as a counselor can help you process your anxious thoughts. In particular, a counselor can help you become adept at picking out unhelpful thought patterns that aggravate your anxiety, and they can journey with you to disrupt those unhelpful thoughts and behavior.
Through talk therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, your counselor can help you manage your anxiety. If your anxiety is affecting your ability to function at school, work, or in your relationships, talk with your doctor to eliminate possible underlying causes, but investigate the possibility of an anxiety disorder.
With anxiety disorders, a combination of talk therapy and medication is often quite effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety, and helping you embrace life in its fullness. Talk with someone today to help rein anxiety in and reclaim peace in your life.
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Gerascophobia: The Fear of Getting Older
The fear of growing older is known as gerascophobia. In December of 2016, a YouTuber named Sarah who is currently twenty-nine years old and has over 400,000 subscribers, published a video on the platform with the title “My Extreme Fear of Aging.”
In it, she discusses how gerascophobia has impacted her life, such as how she rarely leaves the house, how she worries about her body getting weaker, and how she received a gallon of sunscreen for her birthday to stave off the appearance of wrinkles.
There were 759 comments left on the video by people in their twenties and thirties who shared the sentiment that they were terrified of getting older. One of the comments says, “The day I turned twenty-seven, I had to leave work early because I couldn’t stop crying about getting older.”
The fear of getting old is old itself.
In a 1979 experiment in New Hampshire, psychologist Ellen Langer of Harvard University put a group of senior citizens in a kind of time machine that was set in 1959. The time machine was a renovated old monastery that was furnished with items from 1959, including books and newspapers from that year, a vintage radio, and black and white television. The volunteers were told to act as if they actually lived in 1959, not just enjoy the setting and the items there.
The purpose of the experiment was to determine whether their perception of their physical health and youthfulness (as in 1959) would have any physiological effects on their bodies. Langer and her students met with the men every day to discuss topics and themes pertinent to that era to accomplish this. The psychologist noticed that the volunteers’ memory, vision, hearing, and even physical strength had improved after a week of testing total immersion in the past.
Participants in the control group, on the other hand, continued to exhibit the same traits as at the start of the research because they were not required to behave as though it were 1959. We can infer from Langer’s experiment that how we feel has a significant impact on how we age.
The fear of getting older is not something novel, but it does seem to be increasing in intensity preoccupation for younger people in today’s society. According to a report that was published in 2018 by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), millennials are the generation that has the most negative attitude toward getting older. Many millennials see getting older as a steep decline and assume that dementia and loneliness were unavoidable consequences of getting older.
Vanity, phobia, or rational fear?
As a part of the report, the RSPH also called for an end to the use of the term “anti-aging” within the beauty industry, noting that it could be putting pressure on women to view aging as something that needs to be resisted. This call was included in the report. Even more alarming, a study conducted in 2017 found that thirty percent of women under the age of thirty-five regularly used anti-wrinkle products.
Sarah’s concern about getting older is not so much about how she will look as it is about whether or not she will have lived her life to the fullest. “It is unavoidable that everything in my environment will alter at some point, and I worry that I will not be ready for it. My parents will pass away, and I may lose relationships as well as friendships.”
“Even thinking about the possibility that I won’t be able to cope with the passing of my cat gives me anxiety, let alone the prospect of losing my own life. Will the sacrifices I make in my life ultimately be worthwhile in the end? Will people’s lives have been improved as a result of my actions? Have I been able to accomplish everything I set out to do?
The comparative nature of social media platforms, which many of us feel adds to the ongoing pressure we feel to have completed everything by a certain age, does not help. According to the research conducted by the non-profit organization Flawless, sixty percent of young adults believe that social media is to blame for their irrational fears regarding growing older.
“In my experience, people who are concerned about getting older generally feel dissatisfied with how far they have gotten so far in life,” Dr. Rose Aghdami, a consulting and coaching psychologist, says. “They feel like they haven’t accomplished as much as they had hoped to by this point. This is a very personal choice. Everyone will use their own internal barometer to determine whether or not they believe they are succeeding.”
According to Dr. Aghdami, “Social media offers a daily potential for comparing oneself with others, and I believe this can have a negative impact for some people, increasing self-criticism and self-doubt, concerns about time running out, and a feeling that one is inadequate.”
Over time, Sarah has developed the perspective that the archiving of our lives by social media can be viewed in a positive light. “I am able to see how much time has passed, and while that can, of course, send me into a downward spiral, if I compare myself to where I was just two years ago, it is also a reminder of how much can actually happen in that timeframe.” The passage of time seems to quicken with each passing year, which can feel terrifying. On the other hand, a great deal can be achieved in the space of a single year.
Most of us are concerned about getting older. But worrying about getting older becomes a diagnosable condition called gerascophobia only when it begins to have a significant negative impact on one’s health.
People who suffer from gerascophobia have very frequent thoughts about how they will look different because of aging and how they will gradually lose control over their life as they get older. “These thoughts cause panic attacks, which are characterized by shortness of breath, excessive sweating, and trembling,” explains Dr. Aghdami. “Their behavior is also affected because they frequently avoid certain activities that remind them of getting older. Additionally, they withdraw from social contact and become more isolated.”
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps individuals retrain their thinking about aging, is an effective treatment for gerascophobia. Take a deep breath and try not to worry so much about the passage of time just because you are getting closer to a significant birthday such as your thirtieth. It won’t be a problem at all.
Because of the internet, everything seems to be moving at a faster pace. It can feel as though we are never truly present in any given moment, but rather are always hurtling toward some catastrophic event. As a culture, we need to be less condescending about getting older and have more open conversations about all aspects of getting older, including the many benefits that come along with it.
Sarah has finally come to terms with the fact that she is getting older and considers it to be a blessing in many respects. “My thirtieth birthday is coming up in one month, and I literally could not be more excited about it at this point. Even though I’m already one-third of the way through my life, I still have the opportunity to make the time that I have left meaningful. This fear may have dominated the majority of my twenties.”
Are you struggling with gerascophobia?
If gerascophobia or the fear of dying is interfering with your quality of life, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from a qualified Christian counselor. There may be other issues underlying your fears of aging, and your counselor can help you uncover them and deal with them.
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Wielding Your Anger Well: Bible Verses About Anger
We’ve all had those days when things don’t go our way. Anger is a common enough reaction in those situations where our expectations are disappointed, our intentions are frustrated, we feel like we’re under threat, or we find ourselves with our backs against the wall.
Bible Verses About Anger
Anger has its uses, but it’s also a powerful emotion that can cause untold damage. In that way, anger is a little like fire, in that it can be used to keep you warm on a cold night or to cook up some steaks, but it can also burn down a house or cause life-threatening injury if it isn’t handled well.
Is It Wrong to Get Angry?
Negative experiences with anger can make one leery, just as getting burned will make one cautious around an open flame. If you had a parent or another loved one that said or did harmful things to themselves or others when they were angry, or if you are that way, then you can understand why it’s risky to trust your anger or to automatically see it as a positive thing.
This is especially so for Christian believers because of the many warnings in the Bible about anger. And so, the first important question to ask is whether it is always wrong to get angry, or if there is more nuance to the situation.
Certainly, the Bible does say that anger is wrong under certain conditions. It can be unjustified, uncontrolled, or simply unrighteous, and that is when it becomes problematic.
Whether its Cain becoming “very angry” (Genesis 4:5, NIV) because God didn’t look with favor on his sacrifice, leading him to murder his brother Abel, or Jonah saying, “I’m so angry I wish I were dead” (Jonah 4:9, NIV) because the Lord showed grace and had mercy on Jonah’s enemies, we see how when uncontrolled, it can be deeply problematic.
In the two examples given here, anger is wrong because it is for the wrong reasons, and leads both Jonah and Cain into sinful behavior and attitudes toward others. Instead of the compassion and right behavior that God desires from people, anger can lead us into callous behavior and hatred toward others.
James writes, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-21)
It can also be sinful if it is allowed to linger and begins to undermine the integrity of relationships between people. The apostle Paul spoke to this, writing “‘In your anger do not sin.’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26)
Unresolved anger sits at the root of resentment, which destroys relationships from the inside out. Instead of using our speech to build others up and to work toward their good, anger would have us hold a grudge and act in ways that undermine the well-being and flourishing of its object.
The book of Proverbs contains many observations about human life, and how certain actions and attitudes tend to result in particular outcomes. Anger is part of human existence, so it’s not surprising that the book of Proverbs touches on it. One passage reads, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” (Proverbs 29:11)
Being a “fool” in Proverbs is not just about not thinking through the consequences of your actions; the “fool” is a person who doesn’t know God and isn’t living well in light of the reality of who God is. Giving full vent to rage is foolish because of how it damages relationships, and this is contrasted with the wise person who brings harmony into situations and relationships.
Another gem from the book of Proverbs reads, “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29, ESV).
The writer and poet Ambrose Bierce never spoke truer than when he said, “Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” Anger can overwhelm our ability to control what comes out of our mouths, and that’s why it pays to be calm so that your rational faculties remain in charge of your responses when aggravating circumstances arise.
This isn’t the whole story, though. We encounter many other references to anger in the Bible where it is not cast in a negative light. Even in the Ephesians passage quoted above, there’s a nuanced and important distinction made between getting angry and sinning.
So, on the one hand, being angry and sinning aren’t necessarily the same thing, because the emotion and the actions it inspires are separated by the decision to follow through on the anger in an ungodly way. On the other hand, anger can itself be appropriate and godly, or the response of a prideful and foolish heart.
Sometimes the Bible speaks of righteous anger, and this is the kind that God displays. For instance, Jesus gets angry at the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and unwillingness to admit the truth; they would ratherremain silent than acknowledge the truth and thereby lift burdens off the shoulders of others.
We read, “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored” (Mark 3:5, NIV). In the Psalms, we encounter many passages like this one: “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day” (Psalm 7:11, NIV).
How Can You Deal Effectively With Anger?
To handle anger, it’s helpful to acknowledge that it can be problematic and prevent us from receiving the best that God has for us. Without this acknowledgment, we wouldn’t think there’s an issue that requires attention. Uncontrolled anger is a serious problem, and it can speak to one’s character if anger is left to run riot.
Without self-control, a person is like a “city whose walls are broken through” (Proverbs 25:28, NIV). The healthy perspective to adopt is that losing your temper isn’t a sign of strength, but weakness. The Bible reminds us that “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).
The appropriate response to the recognition that our anger is out of control is to confess it as a sin before the Lord and to make things right with those that have been hurt by it. We don’t do ourselves or others any favors by pretending there is no problem, by shifting the blame for our behavior onto others, or by minimizing it. It’s also important to deal with anger by addressing its root causes as early as possible.
One of the causes of anger is injustice or poor treatment by others. How are we to deal with such treatment? On the one hand, speaking truthfully and boldly about the harm others have caused us may allow us to set clear boundaries and express that anger effectively.
However, sometimes it’s best just to let our anger drain away and overlook other people’s offenses. As Proverbs 19:11 teaches us, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Whether we choose to confront or overlook someone’s sin against us, another part of our response should always be to allow God’s wrath to deal with people on our behalf. Psalms 37: 8 (NIV) urges us to “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil.”
Dwelling on what others have done to us will usually serve to stoke the fires of our outrage, and that usually doesn’t end well. Rather than giving in to our own wrath which can be tainted by selfish interest and pride, the Bible reminds us to not play God and leave room for God’s wrath (Romans 12:14-21).
Instead of paying others back, we can deal with anger by returning blessings for curses, as the passage in Romans 12 above urges us to do. This is only possible if God has so transformed our hearts that we trust that God will do what is right. We must truly believe that God will ultimately triumph over displays of power and arrogance through the cross of Christ.
Sometimes, the best way to deal with anger is to walk away when you start to feel the heat. There’s nothing wrong with leaving the room if you feel yourself getting angry. Excuse yourself, then take a few deep breaths.
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (Proverbs 17:14).
Counseling for Problems With Anger
Aside from the fact that anger may be sinful, the problem with anger is that it can break down communication and tear apart relationships. We ought to take responsibility for our anger, and thankfully there are various ways to handle the anger that are pleasing to God. Apart from the Bible verses about anger and principles suggested above, one way to begin dealing with anger is through Christian counseling for anger management.
Anger is a multifaceted emotion, and it will often have physiological and spiritual dimensions. One’s anger is often rooted in pride or poor self-discipline, but it can also be a symptom of depression or dementia. A mental health professional will help you understand the root of your anger and begin walking with you as you deal with it.
In counseling, you can learn several things, including:
- Being accountable for your actions and learning how to control your temper and overcome unhealthy anger.
- How to handle anger better by learning how to communicate honestly, attacking the issue and not the other person. You can also learn how to deal with issues sooner than later so that they don’t escalate beyond control, and by learning to listen well so that you’re acting and not simply reacting in an ungodly way.
- How to set and maintain healthy boundaries so that you aren’t taken advantage of by others
If you struggle with anger, and if you’ve damaged relationships and your health due to anger, know that there’s help available to overcome that anger and begin living out of God’s peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Reach out today and make an appointment with a counselor who focuses on anger management to begin letting go of anger. Your counselor will partner and walk alongside you on this journey.
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