Anger...What is it Good For?

​There is a song performed by Edwin Starr titled “War” and it is worth taking some time to read the lyrics. For the sake of this post I would like to have you indulge me by letting me take the liberty of equating the words “WAR” and “ANGER” to be one and the same. War, in my opinion is the ultimate outward expression of anger in its most graphic form. You might even want to search the song on YouTube and listen to it.
Performed by:  Edwin Starr
War lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
 
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, why'all
War, huh, good god
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
Oh, war, I despise
'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives
War means tears to thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives
I said, war, huh good god, why'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing say it again
War, whoa, lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
it ain't nothing but a heart-breaker
(War) friend only to the undertaker
Oh, war it's an enemy to all mankind
The point of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die, ah, war-huh, good god why'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing listen to me
it ain't nothing but a heart breaker
(War) it's got one friend that's the undertaker
Oh, war, has shattered many a young mans dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious
To spend fighting wars these days
War can't give life
It can only take it away
Oh, war, huh good god why'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing say it again
whoa, lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing listen to me
it ain't nothing but a heart breaker
(War) friend only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding
Tell me, is there no place for them today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But lord knows there's got to be a better way
Oh, war, huh good god why'all
What is it good for you tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it
huh good god why'all
What is it good for
Stand up and shout it nothing
Songwriters: Barret Strong / Norman Whitfield
War lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
 
 When you read these lyrics, on the surface every word of these lyrics appears true. However, with regard to life in its infinite wisdom and glory, nothing is ever wasted or completely useless. To quote Edwin, “absolutely nothing” may not be completely accurate. What can anger be good for? The purpose of this post is to explore what might actually be useful or good about anger.
When we feel angry, it is because someone has wronged us, we feel that something has not gone the way we expected. There are so many reasons to be angry. Look through your own life and pick out the reasons you have.
Have you ever stopped to examine exactly why you feel angry? What are your beliefs behind the anger? Do you feel wronged? Threatened? Do you feel like you are being taken advantage of by someone?  Is there fear that underlies your anger? Do you feel the need to ‘get even’?
When you look at what lies beneath your anger in an honest and open manner, you can begin to make some important observations about what ideas or beliefs may be running your life. Whatever emotion triggers you realize that it is the ego’s knock on the spiritual door and use it as an opportunity to foster your emotional growth and maturity. Allowing yourself the ability to explore the reasons for your anger will begin to expose the answer to the all important question, “what’s on your agenda?” Perhaps it is the need to be right, or a fear that if someone has what you want, there may not be any or enough for you. Feel the full depth and breadth of your anger, and allow yourself to become friendly with it, and simply be the observer of it. As the observer, you begin to shine the light of awareness on the emotion. Over time this will create a powerful change in your life.  Let the gift of time show you what benefits are heading your way as you do.
©  2018 Michael S. Morris, MA,
Totality, LLC