Getting Practical About Anger

For this blog post, we will get a little more practical about Anger.

This is not the entire Part 2 sermon on Anger from Weds, March 8, but I have sorted through that second sermon and have taken out this part for you to consider.

Any of the other information can be found in Uprooting Anger by Robert Jones.

There are copies of this book at the back of the youth room. If you truly want to dig in to your anger problem, I would encourage you to pick one up.

Here’s my notes

5 practical things on Anger from James 4:1-10

HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO ONCE YOU HAVE STOPPED, PRAYED, and SOUGHT SCRIPTURE TO MAKE SURE IF THIS IS RIGHTEOUS ANGER OR NOT

  1. Stop making everything about you – verse 3
    • Understand that sinful, out-of-control anger is a “baby quality” not an “adult quality.”Stop making this about you.
    • Bow down before Jesus as lord of your “WHOLE” life. Even your anger and frustration
  2. Stop wanting to be friends with the world – verse 4
    • It’s killing your relationship with Jesus and it’s stealing the control you have over your emotions.
    • Friends with the world is enemies of God.
  3. For Christians, Remember the spirit dwells in you- verse 5
    • This should make a difference in your life. Does it? How?God is changing you to a new person by the work of the Holy Spirit.
    • Rely on the Holy Spirit by praying!
  4. Start actually attempting to resist being angry – verse 7
    • In this moment, attempt to not get mad. Then in the next moment, do the same.
    • Don’t worry about next month or next year, just this moment. 
    • Remember this is an action you choose to take part in, not an identity you can’t help.
    • Ways to do this:
      • Supress the immediate rage reaction.
      • Think and Pray.
      • Decide if you are being a baby or this is a legit reason to be mad.
      • Express how you feel in a civil and direct way. People cannot take you serious is you scream all the time.
      • If they don’t listen, decide if this is a hill to die on.
        • If it is, stand up for it in a civil way.
        • If not, move on. ACTUALLY MOVE ON.
  5. Repent – verse 8
    • Deal with the underlying issue!
    • Anger is a symptom of a deeper issue, so how far are you willing to go to deal with things?
    • when you aren’t mad, give people permission to speak up and call you on your anger when you are mad.