Listen to the episode
‘When I come home from work and I walk in the front door and get bombarded with questions or things that go on, it’s so easy to lose the plot. Especially after a hard day’s work and I’m tired, I just get angry.’
Listen to Celia and Richard as they share insights into the emotion of anger. Why do we get angry? Is anger a bad thing? And how do we deal with this anger?
Key takeaways from this episode
- Anger is a normal human emotion, not automatically good or bad.
- People often get angrier at home because it’s a safe space where guards are lowered.
- Anger usually comes from unmet expectations, whether with family, strangers, or public figures.
- Reacting in anger rarely fixes the problem and often creates tension and disconnection.
- It’s okay to feel angry, but the key is controlling your response, not suppressing the emotion.
- If anger is ignored, it can fester, leading to bitterness, resentment, and damaged relationships.
- Recognising triggers—like tiredness, stress, or particular situations—helps prevent reactive outbursts.
- Practical strategies include pausing before entering stressful environments, taking time alone, or avoiding known triggers.
- You don’t have to deal with anger alone—sometimes others help diffuse heightened situations.
- One way Richard manages anger is to ‘yell to God’, handing over frustration and gaining perspective.
- Inviting God into the moment helps shift focus from anger to understanding, patience, and healthier responses.
- Preparing ahead—like praying for patience before entering the home—helps respond rather than react.
Episode transcript
Click to view PDF transcript
Related booklet
Learn productive ways to express your anger, what to say, and how to say it – and what to do when your best efforts at good communication fail.