A manager in a manufacturing plant gets in your face shouting at you do fix the machine. His voice rises in volume and pitch. It’s as if he needs to force you to get the job done.
Manufacturing used to be run that way–force of personality. Anger was either seen as a motivator or a way to transfer stress from one person to another. I grew up in manufacturing. Saw my share of that.
But I think that most anger in daily life comes from insecurity. Someone says something that slights you. They imply that you are not smart, pretty, knowledgeable, spiritual, good enough. It makes you mad and you lash out in anger.
I was reading Paul’s lists of “things of the flesh” in Colossians that we should put put aside in favor of the clothing of the spiritual life. But what discipline, or spiritual practice, should we pull out of the toolbox to deal with this anger that rises from our gut and explodes through our head?
Sure, it’s easy for Paul to give another list that includes things such as peace, joy and love. But, do those help you in the moment? I know that even in a life that’s balanced on the whole, there are times when you can’t help yourself.
Best is to walk away and allow yourself to cool down. Search for perspective. Take a deep breath to relax the body and emotions and then bring your focus on Jesus and away from your antagonist. Most of the time they are dealing with their own insecurities. You can pray for that. But only after slowing yourself down and achieving a new focus.
Faith Venture 
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