Women have long been taught to avoid anger, not only the expression but the experience. Or, if we do allow ourselves to experience and express our anger, we soon learn that it’s not easy to manage anger effectively. Though feeling anger signals that there is a problem, venting does not help solve it. Venting may even prevent change by reinforcing old rules and patterns in a relationship. Venting and avoiding are two sides of the same coin. We end up feeling helpless and powerless. And nothing changes.
This message is an excerpt from “Flashing red: the anger signal” by Harriet Lerner in the June 2017 issue of Café e-zine. Today we remember Mary, Mother of Our Lord. Do you enjoy these free Daily Grace messages? If so, donate now to further the ministry.