CrossCreek Students
Anger vs Hatred
Sunday | 9:45am-12pm
Locations & Times
CrossCreek Church
5405 Pleasant Run Rd, Colleyville, TX 76034, USA
Sunday 9:40 AM
Event though anger is a "not so fun" emotion, it can still be a necessary emotion.
Anger on its own isn’t wrong
Anger is often an initial reaction when we’ve been hurt or wronged by someone or when we experience some type of injustice
Anger is often an initial reaction when we’ve been hurt or wronged by someone or when we experience some type of injustice
In a letter to Ephesus, Paul argued that the Ephesian church should be an example to everyone else in the city. If they showed others what it looks like to truly follow Jesus, more and more people might follow Jesus.
When we get angry, we have a decision to make
Are we going to control our anger or let it control us?
Are we going to control our anger or let it control us?
Essentially, Jesus is saying, “Stop thinking you’re good just because you haven’t murdered anyone! Instead, try to do something that’s actually difficult… like controlling your actions when you get angry.”
If we let our anger control us, we may find ourselves doing something that we can’t undo.
Unchecked anger doesn't end well
If we aren’t willing to deal with our anger, it can very easily grow into something we never wanted.
If we aren’t willing to deal with our anger, it can very easily grow into something we never wanted.
When you get angry, you have 2 options
OPTION 1: choose to process our anger in a healthy way
OPTION 2: allow our anger to grow
OPTION 1: choose to process our anger in a healthy way
OPTION 2: allow our anger to grow
Anger isn’t always wrong, but hatred is.
We shouldn't hate ANYONE
We shouldn't hate ANYONE
THREE ways to respond to anger in a healthy way
1. Identify your triggers
2. Let go of grudges
3. Turn your anger into a positive action
1. Identify your triggers
2. Let go of grudges
3. Turn your anger into a positive action
Challenge #1 Identify your triggers
Pay attention to moments when you feel anger this week. Keep a note on your phone or use your journal to write down what triggered your anger and how you reacted. At the end of each day, look back and ask God to help you see any patterns or areas where He can guide you to respond differently. This may help you uncover a grudge, a bias, or a prejudice you didn't even realize you had.
Pay attention to moments when you feel anger this week. Keep a note on your phone or use your journal to write down what triggered your anger and how you reacted. At the end of each day, look back and ask God to help you see any patterns or areas where He can guide you to respond differently. This may help you uncover a grudge, a bias, or a prejudice you didn't even realize you had.
Challenge #2 Let go of grudges
I’d encourage you to ask yourself whether or not you might be holding a grudge against someone, and try praying for them. Pray that your heart would align with God’s heart for them, and that they would come closer to the Lord. Sometimes that means praying that God would give you both understanding about the situation.
I’d encourage you to ask yourself whether or not you might be holding a grudge against someone, and try praying for them. Pray that your heart would align with God’s heart for them, and that they would come closer to the Lord. Sometimes that means praying that God would give you both understanding about the situation.
Challenge #3 Turn your anger into positive action
Even if you’re angry for the best possible reason, it’s still not a good idea to bottle that anger up. Instead, try turning it into action. For example, if you see someone treating someone else poorly, say something! Or ask a trusted adult to step in and help. If you see injustice in the world, find a way to contribute your time and energy to volunteering or raising awareness.
Even if you’re angry for the best possible reason, it’s still not a good idea to bottle that anger up. Instead, try turning it into action. For example, if you see someone treating someone else poorly, say something! Or ask a trusted adult to step in and help. If you see injustice in the world, find a way to contribute your time and energy to volunteering or raising awareness.
