Below are some additional interactions on the article: Dealing With Angry People. Read it first.
Challenge:
There are three things we can do with our anger:
- We can express it.
When anger is out of control, it does great damage. When we become so angry that we want to lash out at someone and hurt them, we are sinning deeply. We call this “losing our temper.” Sometimes we think that we show how strong we are when we lose our temper, but losing our temper is a sign of weakness, not strength. The Bible says,
“Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbor a grudge.”
Ecclesiastes 7:9 - We can suppress it.
To suppress anger is to keep it inside. Some people lose their temper and express their anger openly. Others have the same angry feelings but manage to keep them bottled up inside.
Anger that is bottled up or kept inside of us hurts and keeps on hurting. It turns to resentment and bitterness, and it can bring on depression as well as many kinds of physical illnesses. - We can confess it.
The best way to handle angry feelings is to tell God about them. This is a way to “let off steam” without sinning. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and we will always find him to be understanding.
Just being in God’s presence helps to calm us. It also helps us to see things in their proper perspective. Many times we discover that the thing we were disturbed about was not really so important after all.
Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned.
Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit.
When I did not confess my sins, I was worn out from crying all day long.
Day and night you punished me, Lord; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat.
Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins.
Psalm 32:1–5
For more where this was taken from visit:
http://ubdavid.org/advanced/practical/practical-christian16.html
Words:
James 1:19–25, read this passage. What can you pull from it?
Remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose. So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.
Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. If you listen to the word, but do not put it into practice you are like people who look in a mirror and see themselves as they are. They take a good look at themselves and then go away and at once forget what they look like. But if you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice—you will be blessed by God in what you do.
One of the things I love about this passage is the reminder that it gives each of us. If God has told us to love those who have angered us and to forgive those who have hurt us then we have to do it! Anyone can know the things that God desires for us to do, but actually doing those things, living them out… totally different.
Remember this passage; live out God’s word today.
Audio:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Scripture:
Luke 6: 37–38—Do not judge others, instead forgive them as Christ has forgiven you. God will bless you for being faithful.
Luke 6:27–31—Even when others take things from you, give them more. Turn the other cheek, do for others what you would want for yourself.
Ecclesiastes 7:9—Even when others hurt you, keep your temper under control.
Romans 12:17–21—POWERFUL! A perfect summary of how we should act when others try to hurt us. The Lord will take care of judgment; we are to conquer evil with good!
James 1:19–21—Do not be angry; submit yourself to God, even when others are upset.
Small group guide:
Large group guide:
Life Questions:
- Go back and read Romans 12:17–21. It’s the perfect summary of how we should act and what we should remember when dealing with angry people. How does this passage make you feel? Do you believe God’s word? Take some time to write this passage out so that you can remember it easier the next time anger strikes.
- What will you change for the next time somebody gets angry at you? How do love and forgiveness play a part in that? Write it out!
- Is there somebody from whom you need to ask their forgiveness? Sure, people get mad at us for no reason and we have to deal with it, but isn’t it the other way around too? Find a way to apologize. Write a note or call them. It’s good to remember what it feels like to apologize; it humbles us and we are more forgiving when someone asks it of us. Remember we forgive because Christ forgave us first.
- Share what you have learned with a friend. Talk about it with them. How will you and your friend help to keep each other accountable to the things you have learned today?
