What started as an idea for one episode covering the 3 Fuels of Anger has become 2 episodes. We hope it won't anger you if we stretch it to 3.....The Session: The 3 Fuels of AngerEcclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.1. FearThose things that we fear in life also fuel our anger. A good example when I was a school teacher I also had a fear of heights. My children regularly helped me remember that.How did I react? I got angry.2. Frustration A good example of frustration would be the Cleveland Browns. They seem to be improving and then they make for trades or changes that keep them unsuccessful.3. HurtA good example here would be when someone says something that crosses your boundaries and hurts. You could also be something they forget to do like remember an anniversary or a birthday.TreatmentThat’s why it’s so vital for us to learn how to recognize the warning signs (and put a stop to it) when those feelings first begin.The communication highway helps with anger managementWhen a person feels hurt, they should speak in terms of an eye statement. I feel . . . . when . . . . .The listener hears and reflects, validates and empathizes PrayerPray that God helps you with the presence of the fruit of the SpiritJames 1:19-20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.Dealing with Anger...God's WayTransforming Feelings into God's Peace Through Self-ControlJoyce MeyerWe have all experienced anger at some point in our lives, and it can be a real problem. Though it starts as a harmless feeling, it can quickly grow into something dangerous that’s hard to control.But with God’s help, we can learn how to deal with our feelings and walk in His peace.I’ll admit, years ago I pretty much did and said anything I felt like. I have a pretty strong personality, so if you said something to upset me, there was a good chance I would let you know about it.Thank God, over time He changed me through His Word and helped me begin to manage my emotions through the power of His Holy Spirit.I learned how to operate in self-control, which means I didn’t always say everything I wanted to say. Now, that’s freedom!Along the way, God also helped me to understand that anger in itself isn’t wrong...Is It a Sin to Be Angry?I’ll never forget one particular morning about 25 years ago. I was preparing to go preach at a ladies meeting at my church in St. Louis when my husband Dave and I got into an argument. I admit, I was really mad!I continued to think angry thoughts and have angry feelings. Then my anger turned into guilt and I thought, How can I possibly go to church and tell others how to conduct their lives according to Scripture if I cannot control my anger?The feelings of guilt not only continued but they intensified. As the pressure mounted, I started to feel almost frantic when suddenly God spoke to my heart and said:“Anger is not a sin—it is what you do with it that becomes sin.” That day God showed me something that was very life-changing for me. He brought me to Ephesians 4:26-27 (AMPC), and I suddenly saw these verses in a different way than ever before.The Bible says, When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].These verses don’t say, “Don’t get angry” or “If you ever get angry.” They say, “When [you are] angry.”We’re all going to be angry at times, but it’s not feeling anger that’s a problem. The problem comes when we act on those feelings.At times, I’ve really wished some of my feelings would go away, but usually they don’t. I’ve learned that God is not necessarily going to change them, but He is going to change me so I can be stronger than they are.We need to be in touch with our feelings and take responsibility for them, but we can’t allow them to control us.Dealing with Anger at Its OnsetSome people have been upset for so long that they don’t even realize they’re angry anymore.For many years, I was angry about being abused by my father when I was a child, yet I wasn’t really even conscious of the fact that I was mad about it.Although I was attempting to be a loving Christian, I was angry and harsh and hard. I loved God, but I hadn’t gotten serious enough with Him to say, “I want to do things Your way and I need Your help.”Proverbs 16:32 (ESV) says, Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.A person who rules their spirit demonstrates self-control. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that’s given to us to help us control ourselves.This means when we feel a certain way, we canchoose not to act on it if we know it’s ...
