When I’m Feeling Angry

Anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions. This is especially so amongst Christians.  It is perceived as a bad emotion.  However, the Bible teaches us that God expresses emotions, even anger.  Jesus, as both God and perfect man, expressed anger. If God is holy and without sin then emotions themselves are amoral, neither right nor wrong.  We have been created in the image of God to feel and express emotions just like our Creator.  Ephesians 4:26a says, “In your anger do not sin.”This means that it is possible to be angry and not sin. Even though anger, as an emotion, is not sinful what we do with that emotion can be.  Attitudes and behaviours arising from anger can be sinful. If we allow anger to fester inside of us and harbour resentment or unforgiveness towards others and self, this attitude becomes sin.  Further, when we act out from that place and begin to slander or even physically hurt others then this behaviour also becomes sin.

Read Ephesians 4:25-32

• What do these passages tell us about God?
• What do these passages tell us about you and your life?
• What did you like about this passage?
• What did you not like about this passage?

Anger is like the tip of an iceberg. All that is visible is the tip of the iceberg. There is much more happening underneath. Anger has been described as a secondary feeling. It is a signal worth listening to and discovering what’s beneath the anger. When the primary feelings (e.g. frustration, disappointment, sadness, hurt, jealousy, fear etc.) are not addressed, these feelings will give rise to anger. Like a volcano, anger is fueled by unmet needs or when our beliefs and values are being compromised or violated in a relationship. We need to embrace and own the angry feeling but learn to “be angry and sin not.”

Discuss one or more of the following questions.

1. Pastor Greg said that unless we come to terms with the anger or wrath of God we would never fully understand the extent of His love. What are the dangers of overemphasising the anger of God? What about overemphasising the love of God at the exclusion of God’s anger?
2. Share an incident in your life where you have used anger in a positive way to empower you to right a wrong.
3. Reflect on a time that you were angry with someone else. What triggered your anger? Did you express it, if so, in what way? What was the result? If you suppressed the anger what was the reason? Finally, reflect on the outcomes. What positive things came out of this experience? What were some of the negative experiences? Overall, what did you learn?
4. Recall a time when you were the target of someone else’s anger. What triggered the anger towards you and how was this anger expressed? Described how you felt and what happened as a result of this angry exchange in terms of gains and losses.
5. Anger management: We normally feel anger on our body before we have a word to describe what we are feeling. Where do you feel anger on your body? Share this with your Life Group. Brainstorm some ways amongst the Life Group how you might be able to gain control of your anger before it becomes destructive.
6. What are some of the things that you feel angry about that you also know God feels angry about? If righteous, godly anger is positive energy how can you use this anger as a catalyst for positive change? Share with your Life Group and be ready to give a follow up the next time you meet.
7. What lessons did you learn from the sermon and Life Group discussion that will influence your experience of anger in the future?

1. Is there a truth that God wants you to obey?
2. What will you do to obey this? I will…