Dear Friend,

Is there a hidden enemy in your home? Could a mysterious adversary be concealed within your family? Even though this antagonist has caused untold damage and suffering in the lives of many people throughout the world, few seem to recognize this enemy for what it is. What is this foe? It is unresolved anger.

Anger is an often-misunderstood emotion. Many misconceptions and myths masquerade as truth. It is a mistake to deny that we do get angry or to believe that getting angry is always wrong. "Angry feelings can go underground. They often don't display themselves in active forms such as hitting, pinching, throwing things, or slamming doors. They take more subtle forms like silence, irritation, resentment, bitterness, and hatred" (Anger Is a Choice, Tim LaHaye, p. 13).

Failure to properly manage or control our anger can result in disastrous consequences. "Damage to personal relationships is one of the most common costs of anger, and probably the worst. The relationships that are damaged are often your best... The most frequent targets of anger include spouses, children, coworkers, and friends" (How to Control Your Anger Before It Controls You, Albert Ellis, Ph.D., p. 3).

"Deciding to live your life with less anger may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make," Dr. Ellis wrote (p. 17). Uncontrolled and unresolved anger prevent us from healing emotionally. When we have been hurt or offended by others, God wants us to forgive and pray for the offender. Harboring our anger makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to forgive others.

The Bible provides excellent advice, not only on how to manage anger, but on other subjects dealing with mental well-being. We invite you to read an article on the subject, titled "The Bible's Keys to Mental Health" available on our Web site at gnmagazine.org. Other helpful reprint articles are also offered there, including "Depression: Ways to Win the Battle."

All of our literature is designed to help people live happily and healthfully. The United Church of God, an International Association, is striving to reach many more people with positive, beneficial information. In fact, this year we set a new Good News print advertising milestone. Our 2004-2005 print advertising impressions (households reached with advertising cards and brochures and "take one" literature picked up) has reached 8.8 million homes. This is 1.3 million impressions higher than last year's record-breaking level.

Sincerely,

Roy Holladay
President
United Church of God, an International Association