#4 Dealing With Emotions - Anger In A Godly Way

SF, Stagecoach, NV

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Topic #4 Do You Act or React?

     People react differently when angry.  One person is transformed into a screaming, yelling tyrant, while another holds their anger within like a smoldering volcano and retreats behind a cold wall of silence.  Some hold grudges and develop deep feelings of bitterness and resentment.

Blowing Up:

     

     Describe how you feel when you are angry.  How do you react?

     List some causes of anger in your life?

     What do you think is the relationship between self-centerness (or "demanding your own rights”) and anger?

     Sometimes you may have every right to be angry when someone has done something to hurt you or a loved one.  Look at some of the results of anger as experienced by this Bible characters.  Fill in the  Person, Cause of Anger & Result of Anger for each of them.

                                      Person,            Cause of Anger              Result of Anger

Genesis 4:5-8

Exodus 32:19-22

1 Samuel 25:26-27

Luke 10: 38-42

     What results can occur from anger (physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally)?  Share your results of anger you have experienced.  Proverbs 10:12, 29:22, Matthew 5:22, Ephesians 4:26-27.

     In Proverbs 18:6-7, an angry person is called a fool.  Read Proverbs 14:1-2 what does an angry person do to their home?

Handling Anger:

     Depending on temperament, childhood experiences, models and habits established, people generally cope with their anger by repressing, suppressing or expressing it, then exploding. 

     What advice is given in these Scriptures?  Then share with others how you have handled anger in your own life.

Proverbs 15:18: 

Proverbs 22:24-24:

James 1:19-20:

Forgive and Forget:

     What are the results of an unforgiving spirit in:

Marriage?

Parent/child relations?

Friends?

Relationships to God?

List the principals involved in forgiveness. 

Matthew 18:21-22?

Mark 11:25-26?

Ephesians 4:26-27, 30-32

                                 How to deal with anger and an unforgiving spirit:

     Honestly confess your anger as sin to God.  Ask Him to cleanse and deliver you from anger (1 John 1:9).  Remember, anger grieves the Holy Spirit.

     Forgive the other person (through God’s grace and forgiveness).  If need be, ask the person to forgive you directly (James 5:16).  Then you can ask to be filled with love for him/her then actively show your love to that person.

Application:

     Begin to communicate and express verbally your feelings of anger with your spouse or friend.  Discuss causes of your anger.

     Pray for each other when you need help in controlling your anger.  Ask God to flood you with His love (Roman 5:5).

     Discuss how you can help members of your family or friends deal with their anger.  Pray for them.

Prayer:

     Lord, work in all our relationships to help us first to communicate and then to control our anger.  We know we must forgive others before asking for your forgiveness, and we do this now.  Deliver us from the temptation of anger and fill us with your love.  In Jesus Name AMEN.

I’ll continue Sunday 10/18/15  with “Topic #5 -Dealing With Depression In A Godly Way”.

Blessings – The Lord’s Servant – Sandy F.