Anger is often destructive. But anger can be good when it impels us to take action for things that matter.
Talking Points:
- Everyone experiences anger. Anger is a powerful emotional response with a physiological expression.
- Human anger is usually tainted by sin, as a selfish response to not getting what we desire or think we deserve. Yet it is possible for our anger to be righteous. Ephesians 4:26-27
- Evaluate your anger.
- Don’t deny that you’re feeling angry. Allow yourself to feel it but do it productively. Hit a pillow or scream in the bathroom but don’t take it out on anyone.
- Discern whether your anger is righteous or not. Are you responding to an injustice or are you just mad that someone wronged you.
- Discover the deeper issues. Find out what is making you so angry. Pray about it and surrender your emotions to God.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, does your anger tend to simmer on the inside (1) or explode for all to see (10)? Give some examples.
- What are some ways you have seen anger cause harm?
- Read Matthew 21:12-13. Can human anger ever be good? Why or why not? How would you describe Jesus’ emotions in this passage? What does this teach us about anger?
- Why do people feel a need to deny their angry emotions? What happens when they do?
- Read Ephesians 4:26-27. How can you tell whether your anger is righteous or not?
- In what ways can anger reveal deeper issues beneath the surface of the soul?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
