Anger causes depression

Girl with a bag of apples

Don't let anger get the best of you! There is truly substance in the Scripture advise, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26). My grandmother, Annie Maude was one to quote Bible scripture almost daily. She was a staunch Christian and didn't mind letting you know it. Both she and my mom, when my brother and I were arguing, were quick to say, "Now kiss and make up, you know the Lord says to "not let the sun go down on your anger."

That meant apologizing before we went to bed, for sure. There is actually much wisdom in that statement because anger is a big cause of depression.

You can get your feelings injured and usually recover, eventually, but there's something about anger that devastates your emotional well-being. Perhaps it's because you can remedy that situation yourself. You don't have to stay irritated. It's a choice you make. All you have to do is to stop feeling victimized and put what happened behind you. And, yes, you can do it. Don't try to GET EVEN.

Our family went out to dinner recently at a Chinese Restaurant. As we read our Chinese horoscopes, we had fun comparing them and discussing if we fit their image.

Mine was the snake. I was supposed to be beautiful, but quick tempered. I immediately claimed the beautiful description, although I may have been in the minority, but I am not quick-tempered.

No one disagreed. I am not easily angered because I now have enough experience, probably, to realize that anger is debilitating to the one who is angry. I do not HAVE to stay in that state. I can control what I do with my feelings and I try to handle my emotions and think things through before I react inappriately. I know that I shall be depressed if I allow my bad feelings to persist.

Controlled anger is acceptable to a point. Jesus even proved that when He "chased the money changers from the Jewish Temple"(Matthew 21:12-13). However, he refused to allow himself to be controlled by it. He knew he had a job to do and continuing to be upset would have occupied all his energy. Anger is continuing to be in an irritated mood.

I'm writing about the subject of anger because it can ruin your peace and emotional well-being until YOU decide to let it go. You are hurting no one but yourself. Let no person or happening cause you to experience such destructive pain.

Ongoing and harsh anger is deadly to your spirit. Don't join the many who are depressed, simply because they are unaware of that cause, or do not desire to forego their anger.

Be sure to share your experience with anger or any opinions you have that may help others in their emotional dilemma because of unrelenting anger