The knot of anger in my gut was incessant. I overcame it by asking myself this question:
What are you afraid of?
Anger is based in fear. Naming the fear turns it from some dark, heavy, uncontainable fog into something I can manage. Comparing the power of the fear to the power of God, who banishes fear - the anger dissipates.
What are you afraid of?
Sometimes I've argued with the question. I’d explain that I wasn’t afraid of anything. The problem wasn’t with me but was with a person or situation. No, the question remains appropriate. Anger abides within one’s own soul. I’ve always discovered a fear as the root of my anger.
What are you afraid of?
I rarely get angry any more. If I do, I deal with it quickly by asking the magic question. God's power is always greater. The anger ebbs away. Peace is restored.
By the way, the times I struggled to name the fear, I’d ask God for wisdom. He always enlightened me.
I love this life.
Copyright 2012 Leah Lambert Smith
