Anger and Stress

[oogah]

Anger and stress have always been an issue for me. It has arrived at a level that I am literally rarely ever happy. I am certain for many others as well. How do I manage stress and anger? Does anyone know? I get angry and stressed out literally on a daily basis. Truly, I am embarrassed about this, but I am being fully honest with you all. I get so angry that I holler and get headaches. And, I get so stressed out about my problems and complexities that I get chronic headaches. I even cry for 15 minutes straight… :crying: If anyone has advice for me, I would really appreciate it. Thank you for your time. :tiphat:
oogah

 

[Ophelia23]

Age makes a difference in the answer to this question. Are you a youth, or an adult?

 

[ACanthony]

Hi oogah.

Anger is the root problem for alot of people. Jesus even got angry, as evidenced by Him turning over tables in the temple. That was a good anger though. We need to define good anger vs. anger that overtakes us. It is right and even praiseworthy to have a good anger (I was angry yesterday at the Supreme Court for validating the same sex marriage and in this case I think being angry and doing something about it is a good stance to have). Even anger that isn’t necessarily great is OK as long as the anger doesn’t over take us (it’s hard not to be angry for a few seconds at a driver who cuts us off and puts our life in danger). It is what we do with that anger that counts though. If the driver cuts us off and we get angry and **stay **angry, then this is poor (and even sinful) behavior that makes us unhappy and creates negative energy too. It’s hard to be around people and be angry at the same time.

I have a few suggestions, both spiritual and secular. On the spiritual side, how long do you pray in the morning? It could be that you don’t have a set prayer time for morning and night. Are you praying about the things that make you angry? We are told to pray for our enemies. Are you doing that? It’s hard to pray for someone and be overtake by angry towards them at the same time. I would truly give Jesus what ails you and He will give you peace of mind. Pray for peace of mind and wisdom and for the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts,your words and your actions.

On the secular side, have you heard of the concept of mindfulness? Google it! I recommend the book “Everywhere you go, there you are.” It’s a matter of breathing mindfully and this will allow you to not be overcome by anger. Take deep breaths, breathe in, breath out and say some spiritual things during this time. (on the in breath) you can say “Open my heart o dear Lord” (on the down breath) “May I be your Hands and Feet.” Or even “Be still…” “And know that I am God.”

There are so many things that cause anger but two big ones are 1. taking things personally. 2. Trying to change people. The pattern goes like this. “John Doe causes you some kind of harm, you wish John Doe were different, you try and change him, it doesn’t work, and now you are angry because John Doe is still the way which caused you to be angry.” But these are truly foolish endeavors because the only person you truly have control over is yourself and your own actions, but even this, we have no control over because God is control of our lives.

I would recommend you try and read some peaceful books. I’m sure there’s some great Catholic books but the Delai Lama has written some great books on compassion and tools for not being overcome by anger.

Ultimately, to obtain freedom from your anger, seek the Prince of Peace with all your heart and if you ask you shall receive, if you seek you shall find, if you knock, the door will be open to you. He will give you peace and He will give you ways to stay peaceful.

If I were in your shoes I would seek to find books that will help in guiding you to be more peaceful. It’s not a matter of ‘not being angry’ it’s a matter of finding peace. There is nothing wrong with you. Anger is a natural emotion, but there are truly tools that you need to acquire and you need to practice these things. May God’s Peace be with you.

 

[fred_conty]

Anger and stress have always been an issue for me. It has arrived at a level that I am literally rarely ever happy. I am certain for many others as well. How do I manage stress and anger? Does anyone know? I get angry and stressed out literally on a daily basis. Truly, I am embarrassed about this, but I am being fully honest with you all. I get so angry that I holler and get headaches. And, I get so stressed out about my problems and complexities that I get chronic headaches. I even cry for 15 minutes straight… :crying: If anyone has advice for me, I would really appreciate it. Thank you for your time. :tiphat:
oogah

If we look at Jesus, he was called names, the devil, unholy, spat at, ridiculed, laughed at, mocked and more. Just take a good look at him and how he was treated for doing good and helping others.

Now how did he behave in his tribulations? Was he angry? Was he hateful? Did he call down fire and brimstone on them? Did he return ugly names back? Did he frown? Did he say I don’t deserve this?

“Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Jesus.

He has to take us over and we need to become less of our uncontrolled self. Jesus is already in us thru sanctifying grace, but do we let him act thru us?

How do we do that? The same as he did. He didn’t think of himself at all except as a servant to others. When we start to think primarily of others and less of ourselves, then we take it and offer it to the Father for souls just as he did.

This takes a while to blend his attitude into ours so that it takes us over.
Then we understand what peace means, and how Jesus stood for all the nasty things he accepted.
It is a life long process, but we can become more and more in him.

“Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.”

This is the way souls are saved, by prayers and acceptance of suffering that comes our way.
And why does he ask this of us? So that he can identify more as one with us out of love for us.
He does everything out of love.

There is one more idea I would suggest, wear a blessed miraculous medal. Mary promised GREAT and ABUNDANT graces for those who wore it in her honor and who prayed for great graces. One other condition is that you trust her. That should be easy since Mary is trustworthy and the medal is her gift that she stands behind. But be sure and pray for the GREAT grace of self control every day.

Be at peace.

 

[ready]

Have a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. An excellent book on the Sacred Heart devotion is *The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus *by Fr. John Croiset, S.J… Please read this book and practice this devotion. You will see a great improvement in yourself and will be pleasing Our Lord very much. God bless you.