Resolving Stress: Anger (Ephesians 4:31)
Base Text: Ephesians 4:31
INTRODUCTION
We already know that all worry, anxiety, and stress beyond limits produce dissatisfaction, a lack of contentment, and, consequently, anger.
Anger: How we deny or reveal it
We often try to hide our anger. We say: "I'm not angry!", but our attitudes show otherwise. There are different ways we reveal anger, either by justifying it or through physical actions.
Excuses we use to disguise anger:
- "I'm irritated" or "I'm frustrated."
- "I'm out of patience."
- "I'm agitated," "perturbed," or "disgusted."
- "I'm furious," "exasperated," or "baffled."
- "I'm just tired" or "I'm in a bad mood."
- "I'm indignant."
Ways we reveal anger: A bad temper, raising our voice, contentious arguments, punishing with silence, banging fists, slamming doors, using profanity, giving angry looks, frowning, treating others with contempt (disdain), maintaining a sulky silence, or making sarcastic comments.
I. How does Anger affect the Cardiovascular System?
Deaths derived from cardiovascular diseases continue to be the number 1 cause of death worldwide. Of the 19.5 million global deaths, 38,000 are recorded annually in Colombia alone, according to figures presented by the Colombian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery.
What are psychosomatic diseases?
The brain is the organ responsible for directing and regulating all the actions of the rest of the body, allowing it to influence its functioning positively or negatively, depending on the emotions and thoughts the individual maintains. The mind, on the other hand, possesses the faculty to develop intellectual capabilities, including consciousness, which is where mental states are experienced.
During the progression of any disease, the mind plays a very important role. However, the term psychosomatic refers specifically to the power the psyche (mind) has over the somatic (body) when it comes to increasing the risk or developing a physical condition due to a mental state. Somatizing means transforming a psychological condition into physical symptoms.
Psychosomatic diseases are characterized by attacking the cellular tissue of different organs: kidneys, skin, respiratory tract (larynx, pharynx), stomach, brain, and the heart. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 90% of diseases have a psychosomatic origin, caused by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, or anguish.
The cardiovascular system: It is made up of the heart, lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, arteries, veins, and capillaries. The main function of the heart is to pump a steady flow of blood and nutrients while discarding toxins from the liver, kidneys, and skin.
The case of Nabal (1 Samuel 25:36-38)
"When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk... Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died."
The Bible describes Nabal living up to his name: "harsh and foolish." He was a man of evil deeds and deeply angry. The Hebrew word for "harsh" denotes all the evil aspects of anger (fierceness, cruelty, violence, stubbornness).
Nabal is described as an angry man; therefore, he suffered repeated adrenaline spikes. This weakened his heart. Upon receiving the news that he was almost destroyed by David, his heart could not withstand the impact and failed.
II. How Anger limits circulation
"Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered." (Proverbs 22:24)
- Hot-tempered: In Hebrew bá˓al (בַּעַל), which means owner, lord, or one endowed with anger.
- Easily angered: In Hebrew ḥē∙mā(h) (חֵמָה), which means poison, specifically snake venom. It refers to the fluid that causes injury or death, associated with the sensation of heat and burning when one is emotionally agitated.
- Anger: In Hebrew ˒ap (אַפּוֹ), which means nose, face, countenance. It expresses how an angry person's face "flares up."
Just as venom accumulates in the body, wrath and anger accumulate in the soul. Romans 2:5 warns: "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself..."
1. How does anger limit circulation?
The immediate result of anger is a release of adrenaline and cortisol. Veins and capillaries contract to prevent profuse bleeding in case of an injury. This impairs circulation in the extremities. At the same time, the coronary veins dilate to increase blood flow to vital organs.
This overstimulation caused by anger produces high blood pressure and a host of heart problems. Proverbs 19:19 declares: "A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again." A biblical example is how King Asa's anger caused a severe disease in his feet (2 Chronicles 16:7-12), resulting from a lack of circulation.
2. The relationship between Anger and heart diseases
One of the main factors of heart disease is the formation of internal plaque in the arteries (cholesterol), called arteriosclerosis, which narrows the vessels and leads to blockages.
Unresolved anger causes the arteries to contract and raises cortisol levels. High cortisol levels cause cholesterol to oxidize, hardening the arteries. A Harvard medical study has linked anger with a doubled risk of a heart attack.
III. How to transform anger into Compassionate Power
"Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" (Proverbs 27:4)
Because anger is so widespread and destructive, it is the first form of stress Jesus mentions in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21). Anger not only damages the body, soul, and spirit, but it also destroys vital relationships, especially in the family. When a father becomes enraged, he loses control in minutes, but the wounds inflicted on his wife and children cause deep resentment and bitterness.
Steps to heal:
- Evaluate your symptoms: Remember that many cardiovascular problems are caused by anger.
- Acknowledge your Anger: Many people deny their anger but admit to being "frustrated" or "hurt." Your hormonal system does not distinguish between an outward explosion and contained internal frustration.
- Are you frustrated with certain people?
- Do circumstances irritate you easily?
- Do you harbor deep wounds and emotional offenses?
- Do you want to get even with those who offended you?
Ask God for the desire and power to transform the stress of anger into genuine love. Among the 49 commandments of love that the Lord Jesus Christ taught, forgiveness and inner healing are fundamental to protecting your body and your soul.
Short Outline for Reels/TikTok
- The invisible epidemic: The WHO states that 90% of diseases are psychosomatic. Your stress and anxiety transform into anger, and that anger is destroying your body from the inside.
- The disguise of anger: We say "I'm frustrated" or "I'm just tired," but in reality, it's accumulated anger. Your hormonal system doesn't distinguish between shouting or silencing frustration; the damage to your heart is the same.
- Snake venom: In Biblical Hebrew (Proverbs 22:24), the word for anger literally means "venom." Anger injects toxicity into your veins and restricts your blood circulation.
- The clinical case of Nabal: The Bible recounts how the heart of this angry man "became like a stone" due to adrenaline spikes (1 Samuel 25). Bitterness damages the heart!
- The eternal remedy: Don't justify your bad temper. Acknowledge it today and ask the Holy Spirit to transform your stress into compassionate power and genuine love.