It Came From Within: Anger Series

It Came From Within: Anger

Introduction

We have been talking about the enemies of the heart. Jesus said that it is from within the core of our being that all of life's issues flow, the good, the bad, and the ugly. There are four enemies of the heart that can cause blockages that keep us from experiencing the best that God has for us. Each of these enemies that come from within us is based on a guilt-to-debt ratio.

Guilt says, "I owe you."

Anger says, "You owe me."

Greed says, "I owe me."

Jealousy says, "God owes me."

Last week we talked about guilt. We talked about developing the habit of confession as a deterrent to living a life of condemnation. We confess our sins to God and we attempt to make reconciliation with others that we owe a debt of guilt to through restitution. Sometimes it is hard to pick up the phone, write that text, or visit that person and admit our fault and ask to be forgiven, but it's the only way to truly let go of the weight of guilt that we owe.

This evening we will talk about anger. Anger is a normal, God-given emotion that does have a place in a healthy emotional life. However, left unchecked, anger can be destructive. Anger is one of those emotions that protects us at the moment. It is related to another emotion, fear. Fear is meant to protect us. When we are startled there is an automatic response to the threat. Our bodies and minds go into fight, flight, or freeze mode. But, when anger or fear are nurtured and kept over time they can destroy us. In the debt-to-debtor scheme, anger says, "You owe me."

Andy Stanley explains it this way:

"We get angry when we don't get what we want. That's a pretty important idea, and one you may not agree with right off the bat, so I'll say it again: Anger is the result of not getting something we want. What we want may include what we deserve. Because, after all, who doesn't want what we deserve? Are you with me? If not [let me repeat it] again. This is important--and not necessarily intuitive...

Illustration.

Can you remember a time when you were angry? Was it true that the entire situation could be distilled to this simple truth: You wanted something and you did not get it. You did not get what you thought that you deserved. INTERPRETED: Somebody. Owed. You!

What is often true is that when we see an angry person. And I guarantee you that person is hurt because something has been taken. Somebody owes you something (If nothing else, an apology.) People say things like: "You took my reputation." You stole my family." You took the best years of my life." "You stole my first marriage." "You robbed me of my teenage years." "You robbed me of my purity." "You owe me a raise." "You owe me an opportunity to try." "You owe me a second chance." "You owe me affection."

Again, here's the point: The root of anger is the perception that something has been taken. Something is owed you. And now a debt-to-debtor relationship has been established.

When we have an angry heart it is easy to believe that the only remedy is to get paid. It is a debt. But, are there other options? And even if there are is it just or right for the debt to just be canceled? Sometimes we spend a lifetime wanting a debt to be paid that it is impossible for anyone to pay. The opportunity to make things right is often long gone, but the anger remains and sometimes intensifies.

Anger like guilt, greed, and jealousy does not just stay in the heart, but it flows to the rest of our lives and to our words and actions. Out of the heart are the issues of life. When ager is seated in our hearts, it begins to color everything else. We may be angry at everyone. We all know someone who is an angry person. They are angry at everyone. The closer you get to them the more likely you are to experience their wrath. You don't deserve it.

There are those people who cannot be pleased by anything. Extremely angry people have already decided that you will not be able to get it right no matter what. They are sick. Anger is a disease of the heart.

But, maybe you are not the person on the receiving end of someone else's wrath. Maybe you are an angry person. What would others say if you told them that you heard a sermon about anger and asked them if they thought you were an angry person? Would they get nervous? Would they be afraid? If they told you you were an angry person, would it stir anything in your heart?