Adversity Quote by Shannon L. Alder
““I don’t understand hospital chaplains that try to rob my patients of their anger. Sometimes anger is a key motivator that gets people to take action. Anger can push a cancer patient to jump out of his hospital bed, walk down to the nurses station and scream, “I am getting the hell out of here!”. There is a misconception that God is simply sweet and passive. Actually, God can be quite cunning, manipulative and relentless with his children. What we consider as negative traits are actually helpful in molding us. He will use a negative emotion if needed to push people to do things that will change them for the better. He will allow people or situations to derail us if there is a chance that those interactions will push us forward. Personally, I don’t want a God that is going to send some church member to my deathbed with a plate of cookies and tell me to have faith. Actually, I rather have a God that screams, “Get the hell off your ass, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Walk down the hall with that Physical Therapist so you can get on with your life!" A little anger in a person can push them to do amazing things.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Spirituality and Emotion, 2015
Anger is portrayed as a constructive force that God may use to motivate decisive action, challenging passive conceptions of divinity.
In simple terms: Anger can be a useful motivator, even divinely inspired.
Key Takeaway
Channel anger into purposeful action.
Themes
emotion
motivation
divinity
Mood
intense
determined
Type
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- cancer treatment
- personal crisis
- overcoming adversity
Key Concepts
psychology
spirituality
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- When is anger constructive versus destructive?
- How can you harness anger responsibly?
A Different Perspective
Anger can also cause harm if unchecked.
