A Confession: I'm Angry -- Jason Brown

Because I'm one of Bill's friends and happen to work with him, we've been talking about anger for a few weeks now. About a month ago, I began to talk with him about some of the things that make me angry. For some reason, it was pretty hard to be honest about this. I don't know if I was embarrassed or ashamed to actually admit I was angry. I try not to let my anger spill out on other people. Truth is, though, that anger lurks within me.

I'm not sure I should get into the details of some of the specific things that have been making me angry, but my guess is that you and I would find some commonality if I were to spill the beans. Some of the things I'm angry about have to do with the way the world works -- my guess is that you're mad about something along these lines as well. What I've thought about in the past few weeks and that Bill brought to light on Sunday is that anger is often times a secondary emotion, and, as such, anger can be a helpful diagnostic tool.

On Sunday, Bill mentioned these as primary emotions -- the stuff that leads to anger: fear, inadequacy, helplessness and anxiety. I think I might add to this list pain or hurt. As I've analyzed my anger, I realize that much of it is related to my sense of helplessness -- the sense that I'm unable to change the way the world works. I'm not just angry at what's wrong. I'm angry at my own inability to comprehensively change what is wrong.

So, where do I go from here? Again, the sermon on Sunday was helpful. Bill encouraged us to offer "right sacrifices." He suggested the right sacrifice in the face of your anger might be silence, apologizing or asking for prayer. These are certainly true for me. I've also determined that patience and personal prayer are also right sacrifices for me.

That's enough for now. How did the sermon speak to you on Sunday?

Posted on Tue, October 6, 2009 by Jason Brown

3 comments (Add your own)

1. Johndon Castro wrote:: I have dealt with a lot of anger issues in my life and I praise God that because of His great mercy and grace in my life, I have not acted on my anger that could have lec to some jail time. I remember one incident on a flight. The plane was late and I had to book it to get on my connecting flight. A couple with kids behind me was in the same boat, so we asked people if we could go first. A guy in front of me (with a very sarcastic tone) said, "sure buddy, everyone wants to go first" I was ready to beat the guy up and was waiting for him to say something else. My mind went dark and I really wanted him to say something so I can justify beating him up. As soon as we got off the plane, God brought to mind a picture of Amanda and the kids and the consequences of my action. the primary emotion to my anger was anxiety that I was gonna be late for my flight. I thnak God that He gave me the power to listen to His voice and I was able to relax and refocus my mind to His Goodness. After that, I cried because once again, His mercy kept me from hurting myself and my family.

I am learning how to step back and see what primary emotion triggers my anger and let it go and surrender it to God, but I have a long way to go. One of the things I am very thankful for is that our Pastors are not afraid to share what they are struggling with so what they are teaching becomes more real to those who hear their words.

Johndon
Wed, October 7, 2009 @ 8:39 AM
2. Alicia Ferrari wrote:: I've had to deal with a lot of anger, especially in the past several years. Many times, they've lead me to lose a job, voluntarily, because I wasn't thinking clearly.

But, on the flipside, anger is a GREAT tool. I believe that it is an indicator of what is going on, inside. It's a GREAT tool to make us step back and see what IS the underlying factor, furthermore, it helps us build BOUNDARIES.

I think as Christians, we get this notion that we need to have this peaceful aura about ourselves, especially when we've been wronged, have worries, are "pinned up against the wall", or anything that can lead to anger. Yes, we need to have a peaceful approach. But, we need to be honest with ourselves and God, and those around us that what is going on, is making us angry. If we didn't do this, we would actually be living in sin.

I've allowed myself to get walked on more times than not, because I felt, "Well, don't let them know that this angers you. Anger is a sin. Keep things peaceful, and just deal with it." Guess what folks, it just lead to more anger and a HUGE chip on my shoulder. It lead to GUILT and SHAME.

So, thank you Bill White. I'm glad we've got to learn how to control our anger, but better yet, how to take responsibility with it.
Thu, October 8, 2009 @ 12:03 AM
3. Jeremiah wrote:: What about if you are angry not just at the world
but you are angry at the things you see in church
when you wake up in the morning with your heart hungry
to learn the word of God and with the desired to serve
and be used by him and all you get is that the very person
who is there to walk you thru it does turn his back on him
not once, not twice but a bunch of times, I tell you this, is very hard and dissapointing to someone who with his heart on his hands comes to church more than willing to learn and willing to do whatever it takes to walk the walk and try to be more like Jesus, that I am angry about.
Tue, July 27, 2010 @ 10:34 AM

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