This instruction is for the novice not necessarily the professional. Professionals are in control of their emotions and will have a calm about them before the storm and in the storm they will do what they trained to do. The novice, the untrained, the beginner, will most likely react out of fear.

In our Women’s Self-Defense Program, three principles are emphasized
1) Awareness,
2) Turn fear to anger, and
3) Develop a plan of action.  
Fear will cause you to freeze. Having a plan of action will allow your mind and body to react according to that plan. How well you react to that plan depends on how well you prepared that plan of action.

Both fear and anger are feelings that come from our emotions. We teach students to make a transition from thoughts like this: I am scared to death at the thought of being attacked - I am in trouble – I am going to get hurt – I don’t know what to do – too big – too strong – too many – I am going to die. To thoughts like this: I’m going to hurt them – how dare they – who do they think they are – they are not going to get away with this – they are not going to win – no way – fight – I will go down fighting – I’m not going to be a victim.  Set your heart, set your mind, be determined, and get as much training as possible.  

Now with that in view the bible teaches us, “be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity” Ephesians 4:26,27. So how are we to deal with the anger once the situation is over? This passage of scripture in Ephesians teaches us, that there isn’t anything wrong with getting angry in such a situation but not to let that anger fester (not letting it go) within us. If we let anger fester within us it will lead to bitterness and bitterness leads to hatred and this is giving the devil his opportunity. Christ teaches, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:44,45a. We as Christians are to reflect Christ in our life so with God’s help, we must let the anger go. 

I Hello Gentlemen, I hope all is well. What have you been doing with your own training and development?

With both your Martial Arts and your Spiritual growth. Our spiritual growth and well being can be independent of our Martial Arts which we all know, but our development in the arts can not and should not be independent of our spiritual growth and dependence upon our Lord. We can be puffed up with pride as Martial Artists  even being a Christian. Pride will make us useless to God in the Arts. No real fruit can come of it. Be on guard against this in your own life. I have seen this happen. It is a subtle thing, it will sneak up on you if your guard is down. This does not just happen in the Arts. As a Christian Our Lord needs to be included and consulted in all matters of life. Go with God always. Learn of His love for you, which is a pursuit that should never end.

May God truly bless you all.

From my desk
Kyoshi Frank J DeAngelo

Proverbs 3:5,6