Dealing with Anger

 When I was 12. A very tall strong Englishman walked into the classroom. He spoke to us in a booming resonant voice like a thunderclap. Many of our teachers had nicknames and we called him Thunderguts. He was not a nasty man. He did not exploit his immense size or his powerful voice unfairly or aggressively.

He taught me for two years. When I was 12, he taught me for only one lesson a week. I felt uncomfortable with him but it was not so bad. The next year, when I was 13, he was my teacher for Geography. The course and the textbook were deadly boring and I hated the subject.

My discomfort with the English giant with the thunderous voice developed into a passionate hatred. He was not unpopular but I detested him. In my eyes he became an English ogre who salivated over the blood of Australian boys, especially a rather small boy like me. 

There was no evidence to support my intuitive judgement of his character. My best friend really liked him.

I was a good student but that year I failed Geography with a mark of 33%. I did it on purpose. It was deliberate rebellion. I refused to make an effort. I was proud of myself at the time.

What was the reason for my reaction? My father was a wonderful friend to me but he also had an anger problem. When he was angry, he sometimes shouted with rage, although he was never violent.

Do you ever dislike people for little reasons, because of something in their personality that makes you feel uncomfortable?

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. Pr 29:25 NLT

For human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. James 1:20  NET

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. James 1:19 NET

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Col 3:8  NKJ

WHY DO PEOPLE GET ANGRY?
When people in your family or school get angry, what kinds of things do they say?
Do you know anyone who gets angry a lot?

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH ANGER?
What do you get angry about? Who do you get angry with?
What kinds of things do you do and say when you are angry?
How long do you stay angry?
Is there any connection with anger and fear?
What can you do about anger?

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH FEAR?
What are you scared of? Who are you scared of?
How often do you feel scared?
Can you remember being seriously terrified?
What can you do about fear?

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH RESENTMENT?
Resentment is often a feeling of helpless frustration, indignation and anger. Someone has hurt you and you feel you are a helpless victim. Maybe you feel vulnerable and afraid that you will continue to be a victim. You feel weak and defenceless.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH BITTERNESS?
Bitterness is long term anger. If you resent something or someone for a long time, you feel bitter.