Anger as a sin vs a medical condition

I have related my story on here several times, Gina. I suffered 4 strokes and was forced to retire from teaching.......well, I was 65 and mandatory retirement anyway. Now imagine a teacher/preacher not able to speak or remember een what day it is. Yes, I got angry on a daily basis, but I couldn't utter anything. I pounded my desk as best I could, but with paralyzed hands that was hard.

Then I discovered or rediscovered that verse" "This IS the day the Lord has made; I WILL rejoice and be glad in it." I repeat that every morning when I get up for morning prayer and devotions.

Then God provided three doctors to take me through a new therapy for stroke victims. In three years I preached my first sermon back in my old church in Kingston. Yes, there are still problems. My hands and right leg are still in a state of paralyses. I still can't remember things. Sometimes, even in here, I can be posting something and forget what I was posting midstream. Yes, I still get angry, and yes, I have been known to strike my desk.

Still, I start with the verse I quoted above and remind myself all the day that this IS the day God made.........and I do my best to rejoice in it.

I can't offer more help than this, only to say I think I walk in several similar shoes and do my best, under God, to take one step at a tme and rejoice in all things.

Cheers, and bless,

Jim

 

It can't be a sin to get angry, as Christ himself was angry on occasion and he instructed us to "be angry and sin not." I would infer it's okay to be physically angry as long as it's not used as an opportunity to speak evil against God or act unkindly toward others.

 

I would echo Jim's advice... One step at a time..

Aren't you glad your Christianity doesn't rely on feelings!

If my faith was based on feelings instead of Jesus, I would never be a Christian.
Praying for you sis!

 

As we've seen on this board many times, people here do not accept medical conditions as being real, and certainly no excuse for anything. Many people here have been run in the ground over medical conditions, told they were sinning and needed to repent, it wasn't glorifying God to have such a condition, lots of bad.

 

I find it interesting that fear, anger and depression are often blamed on "illness," but love and compassion are always chalked up to one's virtue. It stands to reason that if sickness can result in negative emotions, it can result in positive ones as well.

That being said:

Gina,

I think Jim had a good answer. I have no doubt that you have not chosen to be angry. No one does. It's an act of the heart, and (though Jim didn't say this) yes, it's a sin.

But just as you can't choose to feel angry, neither can you choose a more virtuous emotion. True Christian virtue is not something that you can perform at will. Trying to put away anger by the power of the flesh is futile and frustrating. My advice is, don't try.

Christian virtue (love, joy, peace, etc.) is a fruit of the Spirit. Love is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit, not by a chemical switch in the brain or a cognizant choice.

So, how does one procure this? Ask. And keep asking until your desire is granted. That is the only way.

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:9 - 13.

 

This is funny! I can relate. I can go from dancing and singing with my kids to irritate in 2 seconds flat. I also suffer from anxiety, which usually comes on around 6pm. Odd duck, I am. My anxiety sometimes turns into panic, but I've done ok in the last while.

I went to a Dr in the country north of us because of a severe allergic reaction to something unknown (but suspected). My tests came back that I was VERY low in calcium. I was put on a good calcium citrate. I did some research on my own and calcium helps the body to produce natural antihistamine. Since mine was low, my reaction was more severe. Also during my research I read that a calcium deficiency can contribute to anxiety/panic/depression. Sine taking my calcium faithfully a year ago, I've not had one full blown panic attack. Could be coincidence. Could be placebo effect. Either way, I'm glad because panic attacks are scary business.

Low blood sugar can sure make one grouchy/angry. I've witnessed that one.

As an aside, I haven't seen in this thread or anywhere else on the boards for that matter where medical conditions aren't taken seriously. Perhaps I haven't been around long enough to see it.

Low blood sugar can sure make one grouchy/angry. I've witnessed that one firsthand.

 

I went back and read your symptoms. It could be thyroid. It could be hormonal imbalances. It could be bipolar. My SIL can go from rock bottom to giddy in no time at all. She's bipolar.

 

Serial posting...

How do you react to sugar? Red food coloring?

 

Would that more of us felt that way, because we are nothing apart from God´s grace. I will certainly pray for you. And that you find medical and spiritual relief. Keep looking to God your shelter and strength.

 

I was a over the road trucker for a long time and I was good at it, the road was my home, when I was home I was wanting to leave early just so I could put my truck in the wind and let it roll, but I suffered couple heart attacks and I was not medical able to drive a truck anymore, I was angry, I cussed the day and I went into depression a deep depression, I was not fit to be around and was put on medication for this but it did not help me, I found my way back to God and my Church and got me right with my father in heaven, now I preach and dont think about the road, and as for depression, NONE. I like Jim go to that verse when I do feel a little bit of the road calling me. Take it to God each time and listen with your heart.

 

Gina, my prayers are with you, I do hope whatever the culprit is that causes this will be identified and treatment is available. I do not have a reason for myself when I lose my temper except for my own weakness.

Bro. Jim what a fantastic verse to help one cope. I believe I will use this myself.

 

Jim, thanks for sharing your story. I had a professor who was in pain and wheel chair bound until a doctor was able to help him. Today he is pastoring a church and it is doing well. Again, he is having the time of his life.