William
("Dr. Bill") Gaultiere, Ph.D.
Director of New Hope, Psychologist ChristianSoulCare.com
(714) 971-4213, DrBill@CrystalCathedral.org
Be
slow to anger (feel and think before you respond):
"Better a patient
man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who
takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32, NIV)
"A quick-tempered
man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated." (Proverbs
14:17)
Don't
repress or rage (one leads to the other):
"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides
in the lap of fools." (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
Deal
with anger before it leads you into sin:
"I tell you
that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment."
(Matthew 5:22)
"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you
are still angry. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your
mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according
to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Get rid
of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along
with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians
4:26, 29 31-32)
Don't
project your faults onto others:
"Do not judge,
or you too will be judged. Why do you look at the spec of sawdust
in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your
own eye. First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
(Matthew 7:1-5)
Overlook
others' angry insults:
"A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is
too his credit." (Proverbs 19:11, LB)
Entrust
your angry feelings to God:
"Contend, O
Lord, with those who contend with me." (Psalm 35:1)
"Surely God
is my help. Let evil recoil on those who slander me." (Psalm 54:5)
"Do not take
revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is
written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
(Romans 12:19)
Forgive:
"Perhaps you are bringing your gift to God at his altar. There
you remember that your brother has something against you. If
so, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go to
your brother and make things right with him. Then come and give
your gift to God." (Matthew 5:23-24)
"Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)
Anger
should be tempered by compassion:
"And he passed
in front of Moses, proclaiming, 'The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate
and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.'"
(Exodus 34:6)
"Everyone should
be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." (James
1:19)
Respond
to others' anger with gentleness:
"A gentle answer
turns away wrath, but a harsh answer stirs up anger." (Proverbs
15:1)
Confront
in love, not anger:
"Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor
frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge
or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor
as yourself. I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:17-18)
"Speaking the
truth in love, we will in all things grow up into. Christ. (Ephesians
4:15)
Use
anger constructively:
"He went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was
there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus,
so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the
Sabbath. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed
at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.'
He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." (Mark
3:1-2, 5)
"Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying
and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers
and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said
to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but
you have made it a den of robbers.' The blind and the lame came
to him at the temple, and he healed them." (Matthew 21:12-14)
Do
good to your enemies:
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is
right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as
it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 'If your enemy
is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not
be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17-18,
20-21)
"Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
William ("Dr. Bill")
Gaultiere, Ph.D. is the Director of New Hope Crisis Counseling
at the Crystal Cathedral and a Psychologist with www.ChristianSoulCare.com
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