Flying Free

Understanding Three Sources of Anger (and why the source matters)

07.19.2022 - By Natalie HoffmanPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

What do love, hate, and pain have in common?

Believe it or not: Being super ticked off. Anger.

I’m serious as a heart attack. Anger stems from either love, hate, or pain. Which means there are some pretty legitimate and useful reasons to be mad. As well as some that are just nasty or unhelpful.

So if you’ve been taught that anger is ungodly, wrong, or always a sign of bitterness, I suggest two things:

1. Pull out the example of Jesus crafting a homemade whip and going mad dog in the temple. He dealt out the beatdown of the season. Ask people what they think of that anger. Was he just trying to encourage all those sleazy hawkers while flipping their tables over, tossing their money around, and driving their animals away? Maybe he should’ve prayed instead of taking his zeal to the streets?

2. Listen to this episode. More motivation below.

The can’t-miss parts of this anger breakdown:

- Three analogies: A very bad macaroni-and cheese analogy, a better one about road rage, and a great one about puking.

- Three sources: An explanation of how love, hate, and pain trigger anger.

- Three examples: Honestly, I give a buttload of examples. It’s the deal of the century. Listening = tons of free drama-filled examples. Not as squeal-worthy as Jesus giving what for, but still muy bien.

- Three reasons: Why I WANT TO FEEL ANGRY (again, I give more than three reasons, but there’s no way I’m messing with the pattern I’ve created).

- Why anger from love is open but anger from hate is hidden and destructive (I ruined the pattern. Dang it.).

- My living nightmare. A dream that haunted me for years before becoming reality.

- Three drivers: How anger moves from a neutral emotion to meaning, and guides everything we do. (Eeeeh! We’re back to threes!)

Listen or download the transcript at flyingfreenow.com/180

FREE: I'll send you the first chapter of my book, Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage. Just hop on my mailing list at flyingfreesisterhood.com/free-download. (I will NEVER spam you or sell your information.)

Desperate for real help and safe people who understand what you're going through? Find out about my online education and support program for women of faith at joinflyingfree.com

And, if you are an already divorced Christian woman who wants to take back her life and get healthy, have amazing relationships, build a business or career, or even find a good man - check out joinflyinghigher.com

More episodes from Flying Free