Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook by June Hunt Read Free Book Online Page A

6:19-20

    Deuteronomy 29:19

    Isaiah 24:11

    Proverbs 23:20

    Isaiah 28:7

    Proverbs 23:33

    Psalm 69:29

    Romans 6:12

    Philippians 2:13

    Psalm 25:5

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For additional guidance on this topic, see also Anger, Codependency, Crisis Intervention, Domestic Violence, Dysfunctional Family, Forgiveness, Guilt, Habits, Hope, Identity, Self-worth, Verbal and Emotional Abuse, Victimization, Worry and other related topics.
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Facing the Fire Within
    F irefighters know the danger of letting a fire get out of control. They are trained to respond quickly. You, too, must respond quickly to control the flames of anger before they consume your life and leave a smoldering ditch of destruction.

“An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins”
    (P ROVERBS 29:22).
W HAT A RE THE D EGREES OF A NGER ?
    Anger is an emotional agitation that occurs when a need or expectation is not met. 1 Like heat, anger has many degrees, ranging from mild irritations to hot explosions.

    Indignation — simmering anger provoked by something unjust and often perceived as justified

    Wrath — burning anger accompanied by a desire to avenge

    Fury — fiery anger so fierce that it destroys common sense

    Rage — blazing anger resulting in loss of self-control, often to the extreme of violence and temporary insanity
W HAT A RE M ISCONCEPTIONS A BOUT A NGER ?
    Is it a sin for a person to be angry? No, the initial feeling of anger is a God-given emotion. The way you express this emotion determines whether your anger becomes sin. Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin.”

    How can a person keep from feeling guilty when he is angry? 2 Your anger is a signal that something is wrong. The purpose of the red warning light on a car dashboard is to propel you into action—to cause you to stop, evaluate, and do what is needed. For example, Jesus became angry at the hypocritical religious leaders who interpreted “resting on the Sabbath” to excess: “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand’…and his hand was completely restored” (Mark 3:5).
W HAT A RE THE F OUR S OURCES OF A NGER ?
    Hurt 3 —Your heart is wounded. Everyone has a God-given inner need for unconditional love. 4 When you experience rejection or emotional pain of any kind, anger can become a protective wall that keeps people and pain away.
     
    Injustice 5 —Your right is violated. Everyone has an inner moral code that produces a sense of right and wrong, fair and unfair, just and unjust. When you perceive that an injustice has occurred against you or others (especially those whom you love), you may feel angry. If you hold on to the offense, the unresolved anger can begin to make a home in your heart.

    Fear 6 —Your future is threatened. Everyone is created with a God-given inner need for security. 7 When you begin to worry, feel threatened, or get angry because of a change in circumstances, you may be responding to fear. A fearful heart reveals a lack of trust in God’s perfect plan for your life.
     
    Frustration 8 —Your effort is unsuccessful. Everyone has a God-given need for significance. 9 When your efforts are thwarted or do not meet your own personal expectations, your sense of significance can be threatened. Frustration over unmet expectations of yourself or of others is a major source of anger.
W HAT I S THE R OOT C AUSE OF A NGER ?
    When we feel that our real or perceived rights have been violated, we can easily respond with anger. 10
Wrong Belief:
    “Based on what I believe is fair, I have the right to be angry about my disappointments and to stay angry for as long as I feel like it. I have the right to express my anger in whatever way is natural for me.”
Right Belief:
    “Because the Lord is sovereign over me and I trust Him with my life, I have yielded my rights to Him. My human disappointments are now God’s appointments to increase my faith and