This document discusses handling negative emotions, specifically anger. It begins by noting that emotions are natural but what matters is how we respond. It then discusses how attitudes are formed from the intersection of emotions and beliefs. Anger in particular arises from a sense of injustice, and can manifest as either a "hot temper" or "slow burn" bitterness. The Bible teaches that we should feel emotions but not sin in response, such as acting in anger, and should instead be kind and forgiving as God forgives us.

1. Handling Negative Emotions: Anger And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… (Hebrews 10:24 ESV)

2. REVIEW God has created us with a complex system of emotions Emotions are not “good” or “bad” in and of themselves; what matters is what we do with our emotions We live in a broken world because of sin and things don’t always work right The author of our emotions has given us a manual (the Bible) to instruct us on how to handle our emotions

3. This Sermon Series Isn’t… Suggesting that you abandon all emotions Teaching you how to never feel negative emotions (that would be unhealthy) An excuse for not seeing a counselor Claiming to have all the answers

4. Between the emotion and the problem is an ATTITUDE

5. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.(Proverbs 4:23) The heart is the inner man and is the seat of our intellect, emotions, and choices. THE INNER MAN Beliefs Attitudes Thoughts Emotions Desires Plans Decisions

6. EmotionBeliefAttitude When an emotion and a belief get married their offspring is an attitude. at-ti-tude: a mental position with regard to a fact or state Many of us carry deeply seated attitudes from our childhood experiences. We had an emotional reaction to an experience (positive or negative). We drew a conclusion based on what we knew (accurate or inaccurate). The result was a mental position (attitude) regarding a person, idea, institution, etc.

7. …out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (Mark 7:21-22) WHERE ATTITUDES ARE BORN Beliefs Attitudes Thoughts Emotions Desires Plans Decisions

8. Between the emotion and the problem is an ATTITUDE

9. Anger Is the Emotion of Injustice Hot Temper “You shouldn’t have done that, because now I will break something … or someone.” 5 minutes later, it is all over Slow Burn “You just crossed the line, but you can’t tell by my face. Give me a couple of weeks and I will plot my revenge.” Bitterness and un-forgiveness brew for a long time

10. ANGER ATTITUDES“I Have My Rights” I have the right to… Privacy Not be bothered Be respected Be loved Plan my schedule Spend my money Find my niche Be healthy Get my rest Be understood Be appreciated Express myself Choose my friends Control my belongings Make my mark

11. Be angry [it is not wrong to feel the emotion] and do not sin; [don’t let your temper control] do not let the sun go down on your anger, [don’t let anger turn to bitterness and un-forgiveness] and give no opportunity to the devil. [both “hot temper” and “slow burn” are Satan’s playground] (Ephesians 4:26-27)

12. CAIN: Hot Temper or Slow Burn? And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (Genesis 4:5-7)

13. DAVID: Hot Temper or Slow Burn? David had thought, "I guarded this man's stuff in the desert for nothing! Not one of his possessions was missing. Yet, he has paid me back with evil when I was good to him. May God punish me if I leave even one of his men alive in the morning." (1 Samuel 25:21-22)

14. NEBUCHADNEZZER: Hot Temper or Slow Burn? But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. (Daniel 3:18-19)

15. Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred. Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32) PUT OFF PUT ON

16. God is angry at sin everyday. (Psalm 7:11) Is yours forgiven?

17. GreenTree We are showing the way to eternal life and abundant life