FoolProof Your Life: Timeless Wisdom For Modern Living

Freedom From Anger

Introduction: Understanding Anger

• Definitions of anger:
  • “A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.” (Oxford Languages)
  • “An intense negative emotion ranging from mild irritation to rage.” (Mayo Clinic)
  • “A reaction to and distraction from inner suffering.” (Psychology Today)

“Some common psychological triggers of anger include feeling disrespected, insulted, or treated unfairly.”

The Culture of Anger

• Road Rage Statistics:
  • 92% witnessed an act of road rage in the past year
  • 50% of drivers respond to careless acts with aggressive behavior
  • 30 murders annually are linked to road rage

“We are in a culture of go, go, go!”

The Tension: Impact of Anger

[How is my anger or lack of patience impacting my relationship with God and with others?]{.mark}

Three key questions:

1. Is my response to anger distancing me from God?
2. Is my response to anger separating me from the people God is pursuing?
3. Is my response to anger minimizing my ability to live out my faith?

The Wisdom of Proverbs

[Proverbs 1:7] “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

[-The recognition of God as the One True Living God is where True Wisdom begins and quite frankly ends for the follower of Christ.]{.mark}

Key Proverbs on Anger

[Proverbs 14:29] “People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.”

[Proverbs 19:11] “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”

[Proverbs 16:32] “Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”

Three Attributes of God’s Righteous Anger

1. [Time (Patience)]{.mark}

[James 1:19-20] “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”

2. [Control (Measured and Precise aimed at the right target)]{.mark}
3. [Essence/Love (measured by Grace)]{.mark}

Three Points on Biblical Anger Management

1. [Biblical Anger Management Helps Move me closer to God]{.mark}
   • Re-aligns my values with God’s Values

[-When you take the time to consider a situation, measure or calculate your response bridled by the Holy Spirit, and temper the response through the lens of Christ — you have no choice, but to draw closer to God]{.mark}

2. [Biblical Anger Management Helps move others closer to God]{.mark}
3. [Biblical Anger Management re-aligns my needs with God’s provisions]{.mark}

[Romans 12:19-21] “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord. Instead, ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.’ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

Conclusion: God’s Righteous Anger

[Exodus 34:6-7] “The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, ‘Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty.'”

“Set aside Human Anger, Embrace God’s righteous anger — which does not excuse the guilty, but is still full of unfailing love and faithfulness offering chance after chance for redemption”