It was quite overwhelming yesterday to see hundreds of men filing into the seminar I was doing on the topic of “Dealing with Anger” for the excellent No Regrets men’s conference at Elmbrook Church. There was a sense of urgency in their faces, which reminded me of how large this issue is in our lives, particularly for us men. Anger is a deeply personal issue, and it is even a geo-political issue (consider the recent street scenes in Egypt and the phenomenon of angry young men in many parts of the world). Sometime I want to study the whole issue of where anger figures into leadership (from righteous indignation to toxic ill-temper).
The audio (MP3) of Dealing with Anger is now available. Here is a screening test on whether or not anger is a problem in your life. And here is the outline of the seminar, twelve ways to deal with anger, from a biblical perspective (and some of the relevant Scripture passages).
1. Understand what anger is.
2. Understand where anger comes from.
3. Listen to the people in your life.
4. Develop self-control (a lot of practical points covered here in the seminar)
5. Come to terms with the way life is; adjust your expectations.
(and from Ephesians 4…)
6. Get rid of bitterness.
7. Get rid of rage (vocal).
8. Get rid of brawling (physical).
9. Get rid of slander and malice.
10. Adopt kindness and compassion.
11. Forgive — (New Testament: “letting go”).
12. Forbear — (being tolerant of things that irritate you, but are not wrongs).
And here are some Bible passages about anger.
“. . . let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (James 1:19).
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs12:18).
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
“A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.” (Proverbs 19:11)
“‘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…. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph. 4:26-32).