Patient Name: Anger
Patient Diagnosis: A Monster Within!
How: They had a desire for something that they did not receive. Could be tangible, but could also be memories, emotions, security, or even self-confidence. Results in a “You Owe Me” relationship where they are dependent on the other person who has taken something from them.
If left untreated: Anger will move from a focus on a person or event to life in general. This anger will come out most on those closest to them and will begin to define their life.
Symptoms: Besides anger at life in general they have a story to tell. This story not only explains their behavior, but justifies it as well.
Prior Treatment: Telling their story.
Problems with Treatment: Made the patient feel better about their anger, but it actually only reinforced the problem. Telling their story not only seemed to explain their behavior, but it seemed to justify it as well in their own mind. Patient began to feel okay about their anger because people told them they should be angry, even though it had harmful side effects.
How should patient be treated: Forgiveness
What does that look like: 1) Identify who you’re angry with. 2) Determine what they owe. 3) Cancel the Debt. 4) Dismiss the Case.
Patient Outlook: Hopeful, but there’s 2 monsters to go….
Next Steps: Listen online or join us February 27 for Part 4 of the Monsters Within!
So far, anger seems to be the “most real” for me. I see anger within me. I see anger around me. We all see anger in ourselves…and others. I believe that in our society, anger is so widely anticipated and even accepted. We all say – “Yes, you should be mad!!!” or – “Doesnt’ that make you angry?? It would make me angry!!!” I think that it is just so easy to get mad at things…and even expect people to get angry. How many times a day to wives ask their husbands (Or vice versa). … Are you mad at me??? Are you angry with me??
However, even though we can get mad or angry – the important part is the forgiveness. How often is that stressed? So many times people will let themselves get angry with someone, and then write that person out of their life instead of forgiving them! What at one time may have started small or something insignificant… is now such a big deal and blown way out of proportion. The anger grew over time. Some will even say… I will forgive, but I will NEVER forget. And no, we don’t completely forget – but when people say it like that, have they really truly forgiven that person??