Understand the difference between righteous anger and sinful anger.
Righteous anger: "Zealous" the word used to describe Jesus' anger in turning over the tables of the money changers.
-Opposes evil and ungodliness:
-Seeks to protect the innocent and vulnerable with the love of Jesus
Sinful anger:
-Goes against God, His word and his will
-Brings dishonor to God
-Seeks revenge, feeds hatred and hurts others
-Gives the enemy a foothold in our life
-Ruins your witness and your unity with other Christians
Why do I get angry so easily?
Anger is a warning light that something is out of balance or not right in our life. NOT always visible outbursts,
buried inside too.
A. The flesh (James: you don't get what you want)
B. Fear, anxiety, depression can show up as anger
C. Lack of discipline: emotions, time, money, life
D. Habit, a learned behavior, way of coping
How do I respond when I feel angry?
1. Prepare for the battle against anger. Know and understand what most often leads you to a place of anger.
Is it a specific person, place, situation that makes you angry? Seek the Holy Spirit's transforming power in
those areas. Prepare!
US Airways Flight 1549 carrying 155 passengers, two minutes after take off - struck a flock of geese which damaged the engines of the plane. Pilot Sullenberger landed the plane in the Hudson River saving the passengers and the crew. He credited his training and preparation.
2. Change how you interact with others.
People do not "make us mad". It's how we interact with them.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speaks truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:25-27
- Be honest and speak the truth in love
- Settle quickly, don't hang onto hurts
- Attack the problem not the person
- Act rather than simply reacting
3. Choose God's grace over worldly instincts.
The world loves to fight. The world loves watching a good fight.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20
- Be quick to listen. Lord, help me shut up please
- Slow to speak. Stop and think, give the Holy Spirit a chance.
- Slow your anger. Step away. Take time. If anger is warranted, there will be a time to be zealous.
- Desire righteousness
4. Seek help
Prayer, Bible study
Counseling from a trained professional
Accountability with a friend
Medication is sometimes required
Winning the battle against anger brings transformation:
- Faith over fear
- Contentment over consumption
- Joy over frustration
- Worship over worry
- Grace over grudges
- Living over surviving
- Freedom over captivity
