I’m very pleased to share a guest blog from author Kay Camenisch. She writes about something dear to my heart: anger. Well, of course, I don’t want it to be dear to my heart but at times it is. I praise God that the anger that once held my heart in bondage is no longer in control.
Yet, we all can become angry at times and God tells us a lot about overcoming it in the Bible. So here are Kay’s very important ideas. Kay wants to send a copy of her book, Uprooting Anger: Destroying the Monster Within, to the winner of my drawing. Just comment on my blog or email me at Kathyspeak AT gmail DOT com. I’ll draw the winner’s name on Wednesday, August 20th.
Here is Kay’s post:
Several years ago a church leader told me he liked being angry. When I questioned if he meant it, he repeated, “Yes, I like being angry. It makes things happen.”
Like anger? It makes things happen?
It makes things happen all right. Hurt and destruction. Family break-ups and church splits. Aggression, cruelty, and murder. Teens rebel and turn from God because of angry parents.
How can anyone like anger? I was horrified. I’m not sure he would stand by his comment, but it started me thinking.
God tells us, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth” (Col. 3:8). With God’s Word so clear, how can a Christian like anger?
The Lord’s intent is confirmed in Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” It’s clear. The Lord wants us to put it all away.
However, as I contemplated the matter, I realized that maybe it is not uncommon to like anger. It’s just that we don’t admit it.
Indeed, at times I’ve liked being angry.
Why? Because I felt like it would make things happen.
The times I remember were times when I was hurt by somebody close—somebody I expected to love and protect me, not to harm me. When the injury was unexpected and deep, I wanted to hurt back. I didn’t want to forgive until he/she apologized, suffered, or at least understood my pain.
I always work through my anger. I eventually forgive. However, at times, especially with my husband, I hurt back before I forgave.
Later, I regretted the harm I’d caused—but that didn’t necessarily prevent it from happening again.
Why would I do it again? Because in the moment of anger I like being angry. I thought it would even the score, or that I could get my way—i.e. that it could make things happen.
I discovered I like anger because anger is the weak person’s imitation of strength. When I feel wounded and weak, anger makes me feel strong. I like that.
However, that strength is imitation. Fake. It doesn’t deliver what I really want, and I always regret its consequences.
Anger is counterfeit power.
When I’m wronged and feel weak, I don’t have to make things happen. Paul said, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).
When I’m weak, God will fight for me if I yield to Him. When I appreciate my weakness, I don’t need a counterfeit.
Change my heart, O Lord, so I’ll be content in my weakness and seek Your strength when wronged.
In Kay’s Book You Will Learn…
- How to Identify Symptoms of Anger—Anger issues show themselves in multiple ways. To overcome it, you need to recognize how you express anger.
- The Importance of Dealing with Anger at the Root—You can stop being mad all the time if you take care of the root issues of anger—hurt, pride, jealousy, guilt, bitterness….
- Practical Ways for Overcoming Anger—To gain freedom from anger, learn through practical application how to apply God’s answers to your life.
If you’re tired of being mad all the time and are looking for a solution that works, or if someone you love is having trouble dealing with anger, Uprooting Anger can help you, or others, identify issues and find lasting freedom from anger.
Kay Camenisch is an author and speaker as well as a pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother. She is passionate about building and equipping healthy relationships—with God and with one another. Kay began seeking God’s cure for anger while counseling with parents of rebellious teens. Seeing children’s lives being destroyed by their parents’ anger inspired her to find God’s answers to overcome the bondage of anger. Her commitment to help others walk in victory in Jesus Christ has deepened through watching lives be transformed through study and application of God’s Word.Visit her blog and download her free book, The Judgment Trap, at www.uprootinganger.com.
Here’s the Table of Contents and a sample lesson of Kay’s book, Uprooting Anger, at http://randkcamenisch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Uprooting_Anger-sample.pdf
Sounds like a good read!!!
Ouch – sounds like a book my husband would think I should read….unfortunately he would be right. Although the Lord has done amazing things so far to root it out of me, it still bubbles over. Blessings! Jeanie
I am interested in the topic of anger. It is an issue I deal with from time to time although not as much recently as in the past. I know it is still lurking waiting for me to be caught off guard though!
yes sounds like a read for me. THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!
Debra Stevens
[email protected]
Just heard about you this week and ordered your book..Let Every Mother Rejoice as a possibility for my moms group… I have been searching all summer for the right book and a friend told me your book changed her life.
would love to have the one on anger too…
Thanks.
susan laiming… [email protected]
Thanks, Nicci, for faithfully reading my blog. I've put your name in the drawing hat!
Jeanie, don't feel bad, there are a lot of us who still have such bubbling! Amazing how it can hang on. I've put your name in the drawing! Thanks for stopping by and making a comment.
Sherry, I'm sure you are encouraged to know that anger doesn't have the hold on you like it did before. Yet, it can keep its grip on us. I've put your name in the drawing. Thanks for taking the time to read and make a comment.
Hi Debra, You are very welcome! And I know Kay appreciates your interest in her book. I've put your name in the drawing. I'm so grateful you would read and comment!
Hi Susan, What a treat to know my Bible study will be considered for your mom's group. I do hope it'll be what you're thinking will empower them to grow as moms. That encourages me to hear of someone's positive response to my writing. Thank you. And thanks for your interest in the book Uprooting Anger. I'll put your name in the drawing.
Jeanie, congratulations!!!! You are the winner of "Uprooting Anger." Please send me your email address and mailing address privately to Kathyspeak AT aol DOT com. I will pass it along to Kay so that she can send you your autographed copy. Please also let us know who you want the book autographed to.
Congratulations to Jeanie!!!! She is the winner of "Uprooting Anger."Jeanie: Please send me your email address and mailing address privately to Kathyspeak AT aol DOT com. I will pass it along to Kay so that she can send you your autographed copy. Please also let us know who you want the book autographed to. Thank you to everyone who put in your name. I hope you'll order Kay's book.
Hi again, Jeanie. I'm afraid that my message here about you winning the copy of the book hasn't reached you because I haven't heard from you. After August 29th, I'll have to draw another name. I hope you'll email me at kathyspeak AT aol DOT com and let me know your mailing address.