God's Solutions for Today's Problems #26

Our passage from the Word of God today is Proverbs 25:28. It reads, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

Our quote for today is from Charles Buxton. He said, "A bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are bitterer than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim."

Our problem today is "The Problem of Anger in Your Life" (part 4) from the book, "The Guide to Biblical Counseling" by Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Ron Hawkins.

Today, we will offer some Wise Counsel on Anger:

Being angry is not sinning and anger needs to be expressed and dealt with in constructive ways.

It is important to begin addressing the problem of anger immediately given the possible destructive ways that anger can be expressed. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:15: "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."

It is important to follow the action steps that will be given in the next broadcast because those who repress their anger are often depressed, anxious, hostile, or have other psychological and biological problems. Those who express their anger in unhelpful ways will devestate their relationships with others. Anger leads to resentment (resentment is anger with a history), which then turns to bitterness or hostility.

It is also important to get help in evaluating the history of anger in your life. It is possible that the anger you feel today is not due to a "trigger" but is instead rooted in anger from your past. For example, someone who is angry at their boss for being demanding might be thinking, "This man is heartless --- the same as my father was." Such anger is misdirected at the boss, who is not heartless.

Marcus Antonius said, "Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved."

...