[Faith-talk] FW: [URCTCPrayerGroup2] Fwd: Anger Management - Girlfriends in God - March 19

Tue Mar 20 16:02:13 UTC 2012

Original Message: 
From: Donna Kiser <kiserdonna57 at gmail.com>
To: URCTCPrayerGroup2 at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [URCTCPrayerGroup2] Fwd: Anger Management - Girlfriends in God -
March 19
Date: 
Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:02:26 -0400

*
*

**
**

**<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc336d8b8b44e5f61ebd2dd8a
e1e4130986a085a05c030fe7493ef1>

*March 19, 2012*
*The Beatitudes of Anger Management*

*Mary
Southerland*<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc336d82cc51293
037ba2243b8d70d6c8103531de3ecf1e9c56b827>
* *

*Today's Truth*
*"**In your anger, do not sin" (Ephesians
4:26<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc336d8738e7181a54e1fe
6497280701a17eb0f57178c18cb9f26ae>
).*

*Friend to Friend*
Everyone has to deal with anger. The challenge is to deal with anger in
the
right way. Anger is powerful - an emotional warning that something is
wrong. We have been hurt or rejected. Something has changed and we don't
like it!

Anger itself is not sin. We just have to learn to express anger in the
right way. Mishandled anger is destructive but anger that is handled
correctly can become a tool for good. God's Word is filled with tips for
learning to handle anger in a healthy and godly way.

*Be still.*
Psalm
46:10<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc336d8e7cae5cf9b32eaf
d2f993e8e8438be37d3f5110f10ce56c4>"Be
still and know that I am God."

If we are busy, it is much easier to ignore or refuse to face and deal
with
the real source of anger. Anger that is not dealt with in the right way
accumulates over time, allowing bitterness to take root and rage to simmer
just below the surface of everything we do, say, think or feel. In order
to
manage anger, we need to incorporate frequent and regular "stops" into
our
schedules; time set aside to simply be still and hear the voice of God.

*Be quiet. *
James
1:19-20<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc336d8b4725b2040442
dd552427355df4329d1b06cfa83cac6a3e5>"Everyone
should be slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger
does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

Our first response to conflict is often not a response at all . but a
reaction. We jump in with a brutal rebuttal or a thoughtless correction -
which is like pouring gasoline on a fire. An explosion is bound to happen.
Our first action should be to stop and think instead of rushing to respond
in a way that could escalate tensions or provoke an offensive response
from
others. Listen to the other person before responding. Try counting to ten
before saying anything. This may not address the anger directly, but it
can
minimize the damage you will do while angry.

*Be wise. *
Proverbs
25:28<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc336d8831338c8c6f33b1
89481887d25c67e27d7c50c359aed0bd3>"Like
a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control."
**
Wisdom is doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason.
Anger management comes from wisdom rooted in self-control. I love the
story
of Jesus driving the money-changers out of His Father's temple. In John
2:15
<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc336d818e03c0b25cf6aa3168
2921ad38dc33c016ee59dd150227b>,
Scripture says Jesus "made a whip out of cords." Don't miss this picture.
At the height of His anger, Jesus gathered several cords and braided a
whip. I imagine it took several minutes at least to form a whip
substantial
enough to drive grown men anywhere. I think Jesus was so angry that He
knew
He needed to cool off, so He deliberately chose to be still, quiet and
wise. When we are close to losing control of anger, we need to be wise.

*Be discerning.   *
Psalm
4:4<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc336d87d152aa077e15fee6
1781ee301ad818241f7faeb7cae6082>"In
your anger do not sin . search your hearts and be silent."

The longer I work with people the more I realize that there is always a
reason for their behavior.  Hurt people - hurt people. When you are angry
at someone, ask yourself why. Think back to what led up to the conflict.
Was it something someone said to you? Has a past problem triggered your
present anger? Give yourself time to consider why you are upset and what
you should do to handle it in a way that pleases God.

God created us with the capacity for emotions. That means He has a right
plan and a right place for emotions in our lives. Anger management is a
spiritual discipline that God honors, blesses and empowers. Tomorrow, we
will look at four more ways God gives us to control anger.

*Let's Pray*
Father, please forgive me when I allow anger to control what I say and
do.
I want to honor You in the way I manage my emotions - especially the
anger
in my life. Fill my heart with Your peace. Help me cultivate the
spiritual
discipline of anger management and learn how to control my emotions
instead
of allowing them to control me.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

*Now it's your turn*
Evaluate the level of anger in your life. Would people who know you well
describe you as an angry person? Identity the source of your anger; then
make the commitment to face and deal with whatever is causing your anger.
Review each anger management tip. Which one jumps out at you as a starting
point for learning to control anger in your life? Read and memorize the
verse of Scripture listed with that tip. Pray - asking God to show you the
steps you need to take today to manage the anger in your life. Record your
thoughts and the truths God gives you in your journal. **

*G.I.G.*
*Girlfriends in God, Inc.*
*P.O. Box 725*
*Matthews, North Carolina 28106*

www.girlfriendsingod.com<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8a15deeacbc3
36d8b8b44e5f61ebd2dd8ae1e4130986a085a05c030fe7493ef1>

info at girlfriendsingod.com

[image: Inline image 1]

**

**

  This email was sent by: Bible Gateway
5300 Patterson Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49530 USA

We respect your right to privacy - view our
policy<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8ad4f326be5276b34838f71aafa05
7ac4a6e280944cc6f8cdc372395c1047829>
**<http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=8ad4f326be5276b33724e6cd47f08ad76
a06cf5c59253a026ff79edd3fc670ed>

-- 

*And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why], all
things
can be (are possible) to him who believes! Mark 9:23 *