Target Point, Vol. 7 of 31 Today's Verse/Thought: Grumpy Old Men-and Women
Studies-including one published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine-have LINKED SUPPRESSED ANGER TO SERIOUS MEDICAL PROBLEMS such as high blood pressure, heart disease, gastrointestinal complaints, and even certain cancers.
Life Implication:
Today, let's take a look at the PHYSICAL RESULTS of harboring resentment and unforgiveness-internalized anger. Are you always feeling tired and sleeping more than normal; grinding your teeth while sleeping; constantly having a sore or stiff neck; do you have nervous foot or body movements; ulcers, etc.? Any of these physical manifestations would make anyone feel grumpy.
According to new research reported in the American Heart Association journal, Grumpy old men who have the highest anger scores on a personality test have about a three-times-higher risk of heart disease than older men with the lowest anger levels.
There have also been studies that suggest a possible linking between some forms of internal cancer and a deep bitterness within the individual. Makes you wonder doesn't it? Some years ago, a well known actor became ill with a terminal form of cancer. In the belief that laughter and joy would be the best possible medicine, he requested that a number of comedy type videos be brought to his room. He watched those videos day in and day out. He laughed till his sides ached. And wouldn't you know, the cancer just went away!! Laughter and joy, of course, is a direct antithesis to bitterness and anger.
Life Application:
During this next week, try making anger work for you by practicing a very simple plan: Whenever you are interacting with someone else, practice speaking from the "I" perspective. As I feel sick or I feel angry whenever (thus and so) happens. Avoid all the attacking "You's", like you make me mad, or you always do this or that. When you speak from the "I" point of view, you are speaking from the feelings you have. No one can argue against feelings. Often anger can be very justified, but it does not have to aim or hurt. Use it as a form of revealing your heart and opening up a discussion. See if any physical results of internalized anger begin to lessen. Make this kind of interaction a new habit.
Tomorrow In TargetPoint:
A Remote Fix