Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Anger”
Our Bible verse for today: “Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated – it can only lead to harm.” Psalm 37:8 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “We must learn to control our anger”
Do you have a problem with anger? I do. Not the flying into a rage, storming through the house, punching holes in the walls kind of anger. No, there are other forms of anger that are much more subtle and which at first glance might not appear to be “anger” as we typically think of it.
The truth is that anger is a normal human emotion that has been a problem for the entire human race ever since sin first entered the world in the Garden of Eden. And it is something that we all struggle with in one form or another. I have an anger management problem and so do you (even if you don’t think you do). By the end of our study this month I hope to have convinced you of that and I also hope we will all have learned how to recognize anger in all its forms, and what to do about it.
As a pastor, preacher, teacher, and counselor my work is spiritual in nature and is therefore focused on helping people to grow spiritually. But in order to do that I must also be a student of the human condition. I have to observe, study, and understand people, as well as their personalities, and their problems, in order to help them bridge the gap between human nature and the spiritual nature. Therefore I’m always on the lookout for resources that will help me to help others. And in the process, invariably, I find that I learn and grow too.
Not too long ago I came across a wonderful study on the subject of anger entitled “The Anger Workbook: An interactive guide to anger management” by Doctors Les Carter and Frank Minirth. It’s a Christian resource which is solidly Biblical and very insightful. I’ve learned a lot from it and I recommend it to you.
Throughout this month I will share with you some of the lessons, observations, and suggestions that Doctors Carter and Minirth share in their book regarding anger. We’ll learn about the many faces of anger, the various ways it’s expressed, the damage it does, and how to deal with it.
Fair warning – some of this stuff cuts close to the bone and you might find it uncomfortably too close to home. Well, don’t get mad at me (that’s a joke), and don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just the delivery boy.
The bad news is that you have an anger management problem (even if you don’t think you do.) The good news is that the Bible has all the answers to the problem, and we’re going to discover them this month. I look forward to learning and growing with you.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 