Adressing ANGER

The following is an excerpt taken from a pamphlet created by SYFC (Singapore Youth For Christ) in a series called 'Age of Opportunity'. As it is addressed to parents, I've edited it a little so that it addresses us youths.

The reasons we teens give for our anger or angry expressions are to some degree valid (except the last one listed below)
1. Unreasonable authorities
2. No freedom to make decisions for themselves
3. Inconsistency of adults
4. Parents showing preferential treatment or double standards
5. Having too much to handle, unable to cope
6. AFter a bad day and yet those around are not sensitive
7. People trying to help when they don't know the problem or that they've not heard the whole story or give simplistic solutions
8. Having to clean up the mess that others made
9. When people are rude and inconsiderate
10. God made them with an angsty nature

The problem arises when anger leads to sin. When we are angry, we are in danger and highly vulnerable to do wrong - which is why Ephesians warns us not to "give the devil an opportunity"...

Despite the danger, Paul says it is possible to choose not to sin. Even if one has done wrong, he must change and do good - sharing what he has with others, and edifying those to whom he speaks.

A second danger is holding on to the anger. Paul says "do not let the sun go down on your anger". While we disapprove of Jonah's petty anger, so often, when we ourselves are angry, similar words like "I'm so angry I could die" creep in. THey may not be said aloud but they are repeated in our minds...Anger unchecked can eat away at the heart, affecting the wellbeing of a person as bitterness, wrath and rage develop. We want to "seek justice". The malice of seeing harm come to others surfaces. THese Paul says the believers must work to rid themselves of.

To let go of the anger, Paul turns us to the gospel of forgiveness. The next time the phrase "I'm so angry I could die" comes up, learn to let go of the anger by realizing the Christ has already died ( we don't have to die anymore) so that God's anger against sin is turned away. Since God has forgiven us in CHrist, we can also forgive the hurts we receive, and not fall into sin, from which Christ has redeemed us.

This is all well and good theologically but how do we practically work it out?

Here are some tips...
. Recognize and admit when we are angry.
. Practice restraint...don't react immediately...Replace angry words with gentle words - "A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harshw ord stirs up anger" Proverbs 15:1
. Look at how we are coping with our anger - whether we are repressing (which hurts ourselves) or expressing (wrongfully hurting others). There are people who suggest that the anger be directed to punching pillows or shouting it out, but these methods do not resolve the problem. Work towards resolving the root of the anger...
. Pray...ask God to help us determine whether our anger is righteous or unrighteous. Is our anger motivated by righteous anger or unrighteous, selfish anger? When our anger springs from selfish desires, we use anger as a weapon to manipulate, to get what we want. Throwing tantrums or flying into a rage can be very effective in getting others to bend to what we want, but it is absolutely wrong.
. ...tell God how we honestly feel and ask for His help.
. Work out practically how to use our anger to solve the problem quickly and in a godly and loving way.

A post about God's Tests amidst our academic tests and assignments. YAY!

Dear all :)

Before I begin with the message, I would like to congratulate those who have been through most of their papers by trying their best given the circumstances. I also encourage the rest to press forward! :) Remember, He would never give us a burden too heavy for you to bear, and that His grace is sufficient for thee. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. (2Cor12:9) WOAH. Which is more important? (God’s strength/Glory!)

 Don’t beat yourself up badly (figuratively, or maybe for some, literally!) if you feel overly lousy and inadequate. More importantly, don’t dwell on it for too long, that your mind becomes clouded from God’s purpose for you at the present moment. Move on, seek God in prayer and be resolved to improve.

That is the basis for this sharing, actually ;), concerning God’s purpose.

Disclaimer: Remember the memory verse about how unsearchable His ways are? Well, I am not contradicting that verse nor the bible, No WAY. We may not be able to gain full knowledge and be anywhere near are wise as Him, but we can be thankful for the wisdom and thoughts, for even the ability to read His word, that enables us to pick up truths and know more or less what we ought to do and ought NOT to do.

I’m only day7 of this book that my neighbor passed to me upon entering a residence in NUS. However, I cannot wait to share some insights with you!

I’ve shared with two of you recently about the 3 T’s that the author mentioned, and how they can help to guide our time here in this temporary “home” (although we should be cautious not to think of this world as a “home” where you belong, where you return to, per se). So what are the 3 T’s?  I’ll cover the first here, with some personal thoughts.

#1) Life is a Test.

Yes life is a test, but don’t be quick to groan at this! It’s written all over the bible and I’m sure you have come across words like trials, temptations, testing and refining. Even from Genesis, we see the test of Adam and Eve’s faithfulness and obedience towards God! So right from the beginning, we are told, and instructed about such tests that will come our way. Not randomly like cannonballs, but as in Romans 8:28, they are given to us by God. 

Certified, confirm PLUS chop PLUS stamp.

As I mentioned earlier:  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Cor 10:13)

So…What kind of tests are these? They are tests of love, faith, hope etcetera, mentioned briefly in the book. They are tests/Opportunities given to you to demonstrate your love to God and others (Two great commandments!), and your DEPENDENCE on God. Note: not all tests are obvious to you, and some may be too easy to pass, or to Fail. I hope that all of us would pray first, for AWARENESS of His presence and His tests, of which we often take for granted.

These are my thoughts:
By bearing this in mind, we know that things and people may be instruments of God, who help sharpen and refine us, and what would a test be without a “marker” or an invigilator? Yes. He is watching over you, every step of the way, even on simple things like picking up something that lies in your path, how you respond to your friend’s swearing and using God’s name in vain etc.

Do you contemplate picking up the litter? Do you continue to smile politely at someone who says “OMG!!”? (I framed this question hoping that the user of such terms is not any of you, I pray to God for that.)? If you are unsure and would argue that “the bible did not say we cannot smile when people take the glory away from God”, maybe you can try thinking, would Paul be smiling? Would God be smiling when you smile politely? I guess not :X

The idea of tests may be scary, and that people tend to tremble before receiving their results as we often heard our primary schoolmates going “I feel like peeing in my pants :S” *look of restraint and effortful control”.

However, many of you have noticed how people LEAP for joy J Don’t we wish we were one of them when we receive our results? And if we have been there before, does it not feel great? But as Christians, we want to leap for joy because we’ve put in effort to please God, not the education system. And if the education system don’t reward you with a “temporary crown” or as well as you expected (peppered with the amount of pride in you), are you ready to humble yourself and seek His kingdom further? Even if it is an innocent wish, I hope and pray that such a wish approximates being like those children of God who have been tried and tested for His Glory, and may have even passed on without getting any earthly rewards, but benefitted those who would follow (Hebrews 11). Their life wasn’t in vain, nor were their tests unreasonable. I learnt and was encouraged by them, and this lesson in itself is precious. Christ’s crucifixion was also a test which worked together for (our/His/God's eternal) good, now would you groan or complain? Accept and relish each test for what it is, seeking the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting God, and looking unto Jesus.

Stay Tuned for the remaining two T’s! PRESS ON!!