We hide it well. Or at least we think we do. But I am confident, if you are morbidly obese like I am, you hide anger in your eating, just like I do. Anger is a very powerful emotion. It is not evil in and of itself. But how we respond to it can certainly bring hardship on others, and ourselves.
Recently, I received a call from the company that holds the mortgage on my home. The caller wanted me to consider refinancing my home. After a lengthy discussion, I declined. He kept calling and emailing me. With every call and email I grew more and more angry. I did not want to upset my mortgage company. I did not want the pressure of their sales associate either. Finally, I stopped taking his calls.
That is what angry eating does for us. It allows us to check out and stop taking the calls of life that make us angry. We internalize our anger. But it always leaks out; often at inopportune times.
Anger is like living in a goldfish bowl. There is a limited supply of oxygen. You swim where you poop. People can see right through you. And you can easily be overfed.
One of the reasons we have to have the three conversations is this, we need to remind ourselves that our internalized anger hurts us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. If your third conversation is with a child, they will, depending on their age, not understand your anger and may need explanations from time to time. Take care around your children.
Our first conversation, the one with God, is with someone big enough to handle whatever anger you need to throw His way. Sometimes we Christians forget how big God is. We feel a need to protect Him. We have it all backwards, as is often the case. God is big enough to handle your pain, your anger and your resentment. Give it up to Him. He is asking for your burdens. Lay them down at His feet.
Then you can breathe freely. Then you can stop swimming in your own filth. Then you can escape the glass home you live in. Then you can eat normally.
It is time to leave the goldfish bowl behind.
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4 NIV
The author is available for one-on-one coaching to help your through your personal journey. Just email ken.centralhigh@gmail.com and ask for help. Rates $25/30 minutes. Skype, telephonic and in-person coaching available.
Three Conversations 