We are swimming in the sea of me in an Ocean of Emotion, and we need the waves to calm down.
Jonah, the Old Testament prophet, was afraid for his life when he ran away from God, was tossed into the ocean, and then swallowed by a big fish. The good news is that he was spat out onto the dry land and he had a second chance to go to the Ninevites to share God’s message of salvation. Jonah preached the worst sermon of all time. In Jonah 3:4, Jonah gritted his teeth and said,
“Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” Jonah 3:4
Guess what happened next! The whole city repented and turned to God! Amazing wonderful news right! You’d think Jonah would be so pumped about how God used him and all of those people’s lives were saved. Instead, Jonah was ANGRY!!!
But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah 4:1-2
You need an “emote control” so you don’t bust the remote control.
Anger Management from Ephesians 4:26-27
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27
Correctly respond to my anger.
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Psalm 4:4
Choose to deal with my anger.
Don’t sleep on your anger!
Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city. Proverbs 16:32
Cancel the Devil’s Plans.
Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:20
How to Honor God When I’m Angry
- Recognize that I’m angry.
- Take Responsibility for my anger.
- Release my anger.
Don’t express or suppress your anger. Release it to God!
Can you imagine what your life could look like if you dealt with your angry in a godly, constructive, way instead of a destructive way? Your relationships would be so much different. Your marriage would have so much more intimacy. Your friendships would be so much stronger. Your connection with your kids would be so much deeper. Your work relationships would be so much better. Everything would be so much better.
I want people in our community to see us at The Connection Church and say, “There’s something so different about you people. You have changed. You’re not mad! You have a peace about you that I want and I need!” Our world needs peace today more than ever before. And God wants us to be instruments of His peace in our world. That’s what God wants for us and as your pastor, that’s what I want for your life!
Here’s what I know. There’s a lot to be mad about right now. This week, there will be even more things to get mad about. But remember that our human anger doesn’t lead to the righteous results God wants for you. When you get angry, you have a choice. It’s the choice between more pain or more peace. Let’s choose the peace of God today and let it reign in our lives and in our world.
Questions to Consider
Think of a time recently when you mishandled your anger. Describe the situation to your group, including the choice and what you think about the situation now.
Read Ephesians 4:26–27. Why is it so important to deal with anger in a godly way? Why are some people afraid of anger? Why do you think God created the emotion of anger? Why is it important to realize that Christians do get angry?
What is better than capturing a city, according to Proverbs 16:32? How do you usually react when you are angry? What are some practical and mature ways to delay your anger so you can deal with it appropriately?
How does James 1:19-20 instruct us to act? What are some everyday examples of responses to anger that the devil would enjoy? Why would the devil seize on our anger as a way to further his plan?
Why do you think it is important to recognize when you’re feeling angry? What could happen if people denied they were angry? Who might be impacted?
Plan how you can recognize your feelings of anger this week and acknowledge those feelings so you can handle yourself in a godly way.