Self-Control: Getting A Grip on Anger

Anger: “an emotional response to perceiving that you have been wronged in some way”

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).

▶️ Anger is Universal

🔹 Anger itself is not a sin

Be angry, and yet do not sin (Ephesians 4:26 ).

🔹 Anger can lead to positive change

Anger is an emotion. Sociologists say emotions fall into 3 categories:
1) Joyful or affectionate emotions
2) Sad or anxious emotions: (sadness, depression, grief, fear)
3) Hostile emotions: (contempt, disgust, jealously, envy, and anger)

▶️ Anger is a Secondary Emotion

Anger is generally a result of 3 things:
🔹 Fear
🔹 Frustration
🔹 Hurt

“The fruit is a result of the root”

▶️ Anger Must be Controlled

let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).

So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it (Gen 4:5-7).

Things to do
🔹 Pray
🔹 Identify “triggers”
→ Driving
→ Not eating
→ Certain people or situations
🔹 Find the underlying cause
🔹 Strive for harmony
→ Say—I’m sorry
→ Use “I-emotion” language:
I feel sad when socks are left on the floor

I allow myself to become irritable when I miss you and want to spend time with you and your attention is diverted elsewhere