Anger is one letter short of danger.
Proverbs 19:3 — People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.
1 Timothy 2:8 — In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
Did I lift my hands free from anger today?
When you experience anger, your prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making and logical thinking, can become impaired. In fact, research has shown that your IQ can drop by up to 15 points when you’re in a fit of rage.
Proverbs 22:24-25
Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
It’s ok to get mad: If you have been wronged, treated unfairly, or provoked, you should get angry, but express it assertively instead of aggressively.
Diet
Food
Humor
Walking
Sleeping
Distance
Breathing
Relaxation
Activity/Exercise
Conflict Resolution
Matthew 5:22 — But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
Genesis 4:6 — “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?
Why am I angry?
We will often find that what was said or done was affecting our ego, our pride, or our self-esteem.
— Author Tim Keller
Anger becomes fear and shame’s bodyguard.
— Dr. Caparelli
Jonah 4
1 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.
2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.
3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”
4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”
Is it right for me to angry?
Is it beneficial/good for me to angry?
If anger is not managed effectively, it can lead to long-term health problems. The human body is not built to handle prolonged or regular exposure to high levels of adrenaline and cortisol.
Erosive
Explosive
Genesis 45
4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt.
5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.
Revealing
Releasing
Reframing
Venting to reduce anger is like using gasoline to put out a fire — it only feeds the flame. By venting, you keep angry feelings alive and you end up angrier, not less angry.
— Dr. Brad Bushman
Instead of venting, try validating your anger and then letting it go. This means acknowledging that your angry feelings are normal and understandable, but also recognizing that dwelling on them is not productive.
Ephesians 4:26-27
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Anger
Wrath
What is building up?
What am I tucking away?
Am I amassing anger?
Do I have a portfolio of pain?
Ephesians 4:31 — Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
