And let us consider how to stir up one anotherto love and good works… (Hebrews 10:24 ESV)

Handling Negative Emotions:Anger

REVIEW• God has created us with a complex system of

emotions• Emotions are not “good” or “bad” in and of

themselves; what matters is what we do with our emotions

• We live in a broken world because of sin and things don’t always work right

• The author of our emotions has given us a manual (the Bible) to instruct us on how to handle our emotions

This Sermon Series Isn’t…

• Suggesting that you abandon all emotions• Teaching you how to never feel negative

emotions (that would be unhealthy)• An excuse for not seeing a counselor• Claiming to have all the answers

Basic Emotion Can Lead To Should Have

Anger Bitterness Joy

Fear General Anxiety Peace

Disgust Hatred Love

Sadness Depression Hope

Lust/Desire CovetousnessGreed or Envy

Gratitude

Between the emotion and the problem is an ATTITUDE

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

THE INNER MANThoughtsEmotions

The heart is the inner man and is the seat of our intellect, emotions, and choices.

DesiresPlans

DecisionsBeliefsAttitudes

Emotion Belief Attitude

at-ti-tude : a mental position with regard to a fact or state

When an emotion and a belief get married their offspring is an attitude.

Many of us carry deeply seated attitudes from our childhood experiences. We had an emotional reaction to an experience (positive or negative). We drew a conclusion based on what we knew (accurate or inaccurate). The result was a mental position (attitude) regarding a person, idea, institution, etc.

WHERE ATTITUDES ARE BORNThoughtsEmotions

DesiresPlans

DecisionsBeliefsAttitudes

…out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride,

foolishness. (Mark 7:21-22)

Basic Emotion Possible Attitude Can Lead To

Anger My rights are being violated Bitterness

Fear I will avoid all pain General Anxiety

Disgust They are beneath me Hatred

Sadness There is no use trying Depression

Lust/Desire I will only be happy when I have…

CovetousnessGreed or Envy

Between the emotion and the problem is an ATTITUDE

Anger Is the Emotion of Injustice

Hot Temper• “You shouldn’t have done

that, because now I will break something … or someone.”

• 5 minutes later, it is all over

Slow Burn• “You just crossed the line,

but you can’t tell by my face. Give me a couple of weeks and I will plot my revenge.”

• Bitterness and un-forgiveness brew for a long time

ANGER ATTITUDES

“I Have My Rights”I have the right to…• Privacy• Not be bothered• Be respected• Be loved• Plan my schedule• Spend my money• Find my niche

• Be healthy• Get my rest• Be understood• Be appreciated• Express myself• Choose my friends• Control my belongings• Make my mark

Be angry [it is not wrong to feel the emotion]

and do not sin; [don’t let your temper control]

do not let the sun go down on your anger, [don’t let anger turn to bitterness and un-forgiveness]

and give no opportunity to the devil. [both “hot temper” and “slow burn” are Satan’s playground]

(Ephesians 4:26-27)

CAIN: Hot Temper or Slow Burn?

And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (Genesis 4:5-7)

DAVID: Hot Temper or Slow Burn?

David had thought, "I guarded this man's stuff in the desert for nothing! Not one of his possessions was missing. Yet, he has paid me back with evil when I was good to him. May God punish me if I leave even one of his men alive in the morning." (1 Samuel 25:21-22)

NEBUCHADNEZZER: Hot Temper or Slow Burn?

But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. (Daniel 3:18-19)

Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred.

Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ.

(Ephesians 4:31-32)

PUT OFF

PUT ON

God is angry at sin everyday.

(Psalm 7:11)

Is yours forgiven?

We are showing the way to eternal life and abundant life

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