Last week I shared from Part 4 of Chip Ingram and Dr. Becca Johnson's book Overcoming Emotions That Destroy concerning how to turn anger from a foe to a friend. This week's highlights share the God's plan on how we should deal with anger. I hope you enjoy these highlights and are practicing them in your life. Without further ado...
Part 5: God's Anger Management Plan
God created man with two ears and one mouth so that he would listen twice as much as he speaks. ~ Chinese Proverb
Anger is a wild stallion. It needs to be tamed and harnessed for good. It's an emoion full of energy, power and strength. If left unbridled, anger can destroy us and those around us.
The book of James was written to people experiencing hard times, who were likely to say and do regretful things. God inspired James to write a three-part anger management plan. Written many years ago, it still hits a bulls-eye today.
James tells us in chapter 1, verse 19 to:
1. Be Quick to Hear
2. Slow to Speak
3. Slow to Anger
Why?
For man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. ~ James 1:20
Six Ways to Slow Down Your Anger
1. Communicate your needs in a nonaccusatory manner.
2. Try to understand and acknowledge the other person's point of view.
3. Stick to the issue and the facts (don't attack character).
4. Identify possible solutions (negotiate, compromise, cooperate).
5. Maintain calm, respect, and objectivity and remain open to input/ideas.
6. If the discussion becomes heated, consider taking a time out.
This week's post is intentionally short on details. Please consider purchasing a copy of Overcoming Emotions That Destroy for the valuable jewels it contains that will help you to learn how to deal with the anger in your life.
Next week I'll share tidbits from Part 6: Learning to Stop Anger Before It Starts.
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