Embracing Authenticity
Ironic how easy it is to be ticked off at others than own what we are feeling and mine it for hidden gold?
Seems that the mantra of the moment is I’d rather be ticked off at others, than process my soul and protect my peace.
As the year wynds to an end, ticked off is appearing as a constant in the landscape of human interaction.
Makes sense.. what we are talking about is the discharging of difficult feelings and discomfort, and there is no lack of discomfort around right now.
Timothy was warned by his mentor Paul, “In the last days dangerous times of great stress and trouble will come, difficult days that will be hard to bear” (2Tim 3:1)
Breakthrough, new seasons all have in common, danger, discomfort, vulnerability, difficulty.
But there is good news in being ticked off.
The Good News about Anger
What we are talking about is anger. Anger is a secondary emotion that we experience when we feel discomfort and difficult emotions. The hidden gift and gold in anger is that it is telling us what we are sad about or fearful of.
At a soul level, anger is an emotion we feel when we are grieving and when we are afraid.
We are in a moment of collective global grief. The pandemic has laid us bare and for the best part of 2 years invaded our worlds and our health. For some, it ended theirs. There is a grief component we can not be ignorant of.
And then came war in Europe and now inflation impacting the cost of living. Collective global fear spikes again. These events impact our sense of safety and thoughts of the future. This effects us emotionally.
Anger rises in our attempt to discharge out of us that discomfort and that difficult powerful emotion.
When we understand emotion, when we befriend our humanity rather than berate it or numb it, we embrace authenticity. This is the hidden gold. We get to understand ourselves and then mange ourselves rather than be managed.
Aren’t we all tired of being managed?
So next time you are angry, ask yourself… What is it that I am sad about today? What is it that I am fearful of?
But wait there’s more good news!
There is more gold waiting if we will lean in and not away from processing our soul. Anger is also an emotion we can feel when the demonic is present in a room.
Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
The other hidden gift in anger is that our discernment which is primarily a sensory gift, might be activated. We will discern with our senses good spirits and evil spirits.
Over the years I have learnt that when the demonic is present, anger can arise as a response to that detection. It is the warrior spirit being activated, to war in prayer and for freedom.
Discerning, prophetic people have to learn how to manage their sensitivity and process not only the gift but their soul. If they don’t, they will take things too personally, too seriously and be hijacked emotionally.
So be angry, but don’t sin. (Eph 4:26) Instead get curious. Own your soul. Steward the gifts God has given you. Protect your peace and discover gold hidden within you.
This is the good news that makes us become good news to those around us.
What Others Are Saying
“This is Great! So helpful. Especially in my Business where I deal with people all day. Such good information on Emotional Intelligence. This has enabled me to get my head around emotions so much better. To be honest I was very afraid of emotions and I expected to be manipulated by them. But they are really important and tell us so much. Really Good, Lots to ponder. I feel for sure I have less fear around this now. Thanks Helen.”
– Mark, Business Owner Australia