Page 56 - Biblical Counseling I Textbook
P. 56

Uprooting Anger
                   1.  Repent (change your mind about your anger and submit).
                   2.  Confess…
                       •  To all involved
                       •  Without qualification
                       •  Ask for forgiveness
                       •  Ask for help

            Steps to take when tempted with anger:

                   1.  Immediately ask God for help (Heb. 4:16).
                   2.  Remind yourself that God is sovereign, and He is good.  He is allowing this circumstance and will give
                       you strength to resist temptation (1 Cor. 10:13).
                   3.  Examine yourself:  What are you wanting?  Why do you want it?  What “rights” of yours are being
                       violated?  What is your role in this situation? (Matt. 7:1-5)
                   4.  Consider what character quality God may be wanting to develop in you or what sinful belief or
                       attitude He may be bringing to the surface.  Thank Him for caring about you and for helping you
                       (Heb. 12:6)
                   5.  Preach the gospel to yourself.  Remind yourself how Christ responded to wrongs done Him and that
                       He did this for you (Isa. 53).  Remember your sin and how much Christ has forgiven you (Matt.
                       18:23-35).
                   6.  Consider what opportunity this may present for you to display the gospel to others (Phil. 4:5; Col.
                       4:6).
                   7.  Devise a godly plan to seek peace or reconciliation.  Seek the counsel of others more mature (Gal.
                       6:1).

            A progression toward maturity in dealing with temptation to anger:
                   1.  I express anger but do not go and reconcile relationships considering myself justified.
                   2.  After I get angry, I go and seek forgiveness.  I am working on shortening the time between when I
                       get angry and when I go.
                   3.  I get angry but arrest my anger during the episode and ask forgiveness right then.
                   4.  I am tempted to anger but choose not to give in.  I confess my sinful desire to the Lord and ask Him
                       to change my heart.
                   5.  I am tempted to anger but choose to show grace instead by practicing kindness.  I give thanks to
                       God for His grace in helping me.

            Helping those dealing with fear
               Fear is not necessarily sinful.
                •  We are to fear God.
                •  We should reasonably fear danger.  God has given us the emotion of fear to protect us from real danger.

               Fear can become sinful.


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