Don't Fret Warrior

Scripture Readings: Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 16:32, James 1:19, Proverbs 19:11

Sermon Idea: Man’s anger is foolishness.

Sermon Type: Topical Sermon

Introduction:

As I was finishing my scripture study for this particular sermon a pop-up window came up on the bottom right corner of my laptop screen. The message read, LOW BATTERY! PLEASE CONNECT TO ANOTHER POWER SOURCE. So, like any other computer literate person out there, I hit Control S in order to save the work I had already accomplished, which to remind you, I was almost finished. As-soon-as I hit these two buttons I heard a ‘click’ and the whole screen went black. Not only that but all he little lights went out and the little cooling fan inside slowed to a complete stop. The whole computer shut down. Stunned, and with mixed emotions, I just sat there, staring at the dark screen. My whole face went pale. I closed my eyes and reopened them several times to make sure I wasn’t just seeing things. I even rubbed my eyes a few times. I swallowed hard and prayed my work was saved. As I tried turning it back on, I found the battery was dead! My body, already shaking, shook more. My heart pounded like it was going to come out of my chest. Then it happened, I realized the work may not be saved. My eye brows sunk and wrinkled up above my eyes. My lips tightened and my nostrils flared. I closed the laptop and put it into its case. I gathered all my books and notes and started making my way to my apartment from the computer lab, shoving my fist into a few brick walls on the way.

When I got home, I told my wife and prayed for favor from God. I prayed, “Lord, please don’t let all my work be erased. Please, Lord. Please!” I took the laptop out of the case and placed it onto my desk. I reached for the power cord that was tucked behind the desk, and I plugged it into the back of the machine. When I hit the power button, I prayed again, “Please, Lord! Please!” After it was all ready I went straight to my work and……my heart sank. All the breath that was held in my lungs came out through my mouth oh so slowly. Again, I closed my eyes and reopened them. Again I rubbed my eyes, but I wasn’t seeing things, the document was not recovered. It was only saved from the first time I saved it, which was basically at the beginning. Two hours of work, gone! I thought I was going to cry. My wife, Jenny, tried calming me with prayer and encouragement topped with a hug and kiss, but regretfully, it did not work. I became very angry. I put on my coat and went for a very long walk. I kept asking God why He allowed this to happen. I gave people dirty looks as I walked past them. I was so mad. When I came home that night, I decided not to even do the assignment. “I had already done it once, why should I have to do it again.” “It’s not my fault the computer battery went dead.” Excuses! Again I asked God why.

I went through the next couple of days just angry about it and complained to several of my friends, which made me even angrier. And again, I asked God why. Finally, I was laying at home, sick with a sinus infection, and it hit me! God answered my question. He said, “Tim, you learned nothing in your study the first time. You are still angry. That is why you need to do it again, but this time, take your time and apply the study to your life!” Harsh words they were from God, for my study was on the anger of man.

Sound familiar in your life? It is called anger; man’s anger. It takes a hold of us and tears us apart from the inside out. It can ruin different things in our lives. It can ruin our relationships with our family and friends. It can even ruin our relationship with God, as well. It is an ugly action that needs to stay out of our lives. So how can this happen? What can we do to take control of it? We are going to look at four different passages concerning man’s anger. Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 16:32, James 1:19, Proverbs 19:11. Each passage teaches us a different way to take control of our anger. Now remember, this is a sermon on anger, so if I frustrate you any where during this time, you can’t get angry, instead apply what God has to say to you today.

I. Man should not “fret” in his anger. (Psalm 37:8)