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Dealing with Anger [Ecumenical Thread]
Ligonier Ministries ^

Posted on 07/01/2013 8:33:25 AM PDT by Alex Murphy

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” (Prov. 14:29).- Proverbs 14:29

A wise man once compared the human personality to a minefield. “Some people,” he said, “have relatively few mines and interacting with them does not often provoke anger. Others have mines lined up side-by-side from one end of the field to the other, and it does not take much to push them over the edge into a fiery rage.”

All of us have mines buried in our personalities. Some of us respond calmly to most situations that upset us. But others among us explode with anger at the slightest provocation. The degree to which irritation is tolerated varies from person to person, and though we have seen there are times when our anger is righteous, we often express it unrighteously.

The Greek philosopher Socrates saw a direct correlation between right behavior and right understanding. For example, if someone understands courage properly, he will be courageous. Socrates can be faulted for missing the affective or emotional dimension to our behavior, but he was correct to see a link between our thoughts and actions, and, we might add, our minds and feelings as well. As Scripture teaches, “as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7 NKJV).

Taking this rational approach in mind, there are several practical steps we can take to avoid sinning when we are angry. First, we need to recognize that all anger is rooted in some kind of pain, be it physical or emotional. Typically we move from pain to anger and often this anger only intensifies. Joe’s thoughtless comment may hurt Mary’s feelings, and thus she responds in anger. Joe is hurt by her anger and gets mad himself, causing her to become more indignant, and so on. But this cycle can be stopped if we pause to consider what makes us mad. We can also look for what is hurting the other person and address the pain so that anger does not become destructive.

Second, we can take care not to let the pain caused by others make us fractious with our families. If we have had a bad day at work, for example, we should do our best not to bring it home with us. If we have a short temper with our families because of problems elsewhere, we have sinfully expressed our anger.

Coram Deo

Today we can apply the practical suggestions Dr. R.C. Sproul gives in this final lecture on anger by asking ourselves several questions. What tends to make me mad and why? What behavioral characteristics annoy me, and what are the reasons? When we do this, we can better prevent irrational anger and avoid situations that we know will enrage us until we can calmly address the problem. Ask yourself what makes you angry and seek God’s help to deal with it.

Passages for Further Study

Prov. 16:32; 19:11
Joel 2:12–13
Titus 1:7
James 1:19–21



TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Mainline Protestant; Ministry/Outreach; Theology
KEYWORDS: anger; rcsproul
A wise man once compared the human personality to a minefield. “Some people,” he said, “have relatively few mines and interacting with them does not often provoke anger. Others have mines lined up side-by-side from one end of the field to the other, and it does not take much to push them over the edge into a fiery rage.” All of us have mines buried in our personalities. Some of us respond calmly to most situations that upset us. But others among us explode with anger at the slightest provocation. The degree to which irritation is tolerated varies from person to person, and though we have seen there are times when our anger is righteous, we often express it unrighteously....

....we need to recognize that all anger is rooted in some kind of pain, be it physical or emotional. Typically we move from pain to anger and often this anger only intensifies...this cycle can be stopped if we pause to consider what makes us mad. We can also look for what is hurting the other person and address the pain so that anger does not become destructive.


1 posted on 07/01/2013 8:33:25 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
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To: All
For those dealing with anger issues, whether in themselves or in others, I heartily recommend the works of Lou Priolo, especially his book The Heart of Anger: Practical Help for Prevention and Cure of Anger in Children. I especially like Lou's working definition of anger, which IIRC goes something like an emotional "fight or flight" reaction, in response to a perceived moral wrong or injustice.
2 posted on 07/01/2013 8:38:52 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
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To: Alex Murphy

bfl. Thanks Alex.


3 posted on 07/01/2013 8:39:41 AM PDT by Nervous Tick (Without GOD, men get what they deserve.)
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To: Alex Murphy

Not pain but fear...we fear that we will not get something we want or lose something we already have.

Right acting will always lead to right thinking....I cannot think myself into right behavior


4 posted on 07/01/2013 8:42:35 AM PDT by Nifster
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To: Alex Murphy

I believe this devotional was written by R.C. Sproul himself.


5 posted on 07/01/2013 8:43:22 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: Nifster

Right acting will always lead to right thinking....I cannot think myself into right behavior
_______

If we aren’t able to think ourselves into right behavior God wouldn’t have given us the Ten Commandments and all laws would be useless.


6 posted on 07/01/2013 8:51:43 AM PDT by pax_et_bonum (Never Forget the Seals of Extortion 17 - and God Bless America)
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To: Alex Murphy

Some people get too angry, too fast. Personally, I don’t get angry enough when I legitimately should. I don’t know which is worse.


7 posted on 07/01/2013 9:02:24 AM PDT by floridavoter2
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To: Alex Murphy

Thanks for the post. As a new Believer my daily prayers include asking God for help with my frustration and patients levels. Very helpful.


8 posted on 07/01/2013 9:19:30 AM PDT by Gettin Betta
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To: Gettin Betta

also asking for help with my spelling LOL
patients = patience


9 posted on 07/01/2013 9:21:19 AM PDT by Gettin Betta
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To: Alex Murphy

bookmark


10 posted on 07/01/2013 9:30:18 AM PDT by Sergio (An object at rest cannot be stopped! - The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight)
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To: reed13

bfl


11 posted on 07/01/2013 9:45:48 AM PDT by reed13k (For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.)
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To: Alex Murphy
Forgive us our Trespasses
As We Forgive Those who Trespass against us

Not Just Pretty Words
What happens when we do not Forgive?...

We become trapped in a House of Mirrors
Each reflecting the Harm back at ourselves

12 posted on 07/01/2013 10:03:33 AM PDT by HangnJudge
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To: pax_et_bonum

Nonsense....God’s gift was the Ten Commandments ( that’s His action towards us not our thinking them into existence). Moses took the tablets his action...Moreover the Son told me clearly that I am saved by GRACE and not by the law because ALL have fallen short.

None of man’s thinking has ever brought him into right standing with God. Grace and grace alone has done so.


13 posted on 07/01/2013 1:04:49 PM PDT by Nifster
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To: Nifster

We will have to agree to disagree.


14 posted on 07/01/2013 1:10:27 PM PDT by pax_et_bonum (Never Forget the Seals of Extortion 17 - and God Bless America)
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To: pax_et_bonum

I guess some folks do not understand what grace is


15 posted on 07/01/2013 1:11:10 PM PDT by Nifster
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To: Nifster

K


16 posted on 07/01/2013 1:14:02 PM PDT by pax_et_bonum (Never Forget the Seals of Extortion 17 - and God Bless America)
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To: Gettin Betta

Welcome to the Kingdom GB!! Praise to the LORD.

One of my favorite prayers is that of the Centurion: “I believe, help my unbelief”! And He always does - always!! Not exactly in the way I would have gone about it - ha! But, He ways are always perfect. Always!


17 posted on 07/03/2013 4:18:44 AM PDT by lupie
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To: lupie

Thanks Lupi!! God bless!


18 posted on 07/03/2013 12:30:04 PM PDT by Gettin Betta
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