We get angry about what we fear.
Please discuss. How does this play out in life?
I’ll start us out. We’ve been angry, more angry than usual in the last year. COVID-19 and the precautions we take because of it, the election and politics, the economy and unemployment, issues of social injustice—regardless of the nature of our personal opinions, there have been plenty of issues to be upset about.
Our anger has many flavors: frustration, outrage, appalment, fury, resentment, annoyance, vexation. Yet it all boils down to us feeling mad.
When we’re angry, we often express it. The emotion seems to cry out for release. It helps us feel more in control and less at the mercy of whatever is upsetting us, when we express our anger.
We use our anger to insulate us against the discomfort of the situation and do so because we’re afraid, afraid of the target of our anger. It feels more powerful to be mad rather than fearful.
Today’s message asks me to post myself this question whenever I feel angry: “What am I so afraid of?” Being in a state of prolonger or habitual anger isn’t health, for me or for anyone else. Until I recognize and deal with the underlying fear, I will continue to be mad. I strengthen myself by addressing my fears rather than covering them with anger.
How about you? Are anger and fear linked for you?