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| Complaining vs. Anger Management |
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Our pastor's sermon was derived from Philippians 2:14 "Do everything without complaining or arguing." At the end of the sermon we were encouraged to commit to this by receiving a non-complaint bracelet [of course I ran to get mine 'cause I'm not much of a complainer!] Well, it's only been a couple of days and I'm already struggling with this [I have learned to take my covenants with God seriously]. Not that I can't stop complaining out right, but masking how I complain. As a former addict I became very good at manipulation, rationalization, and many other forms of head games, not only with others, but within my own mind. Through working the 4th step of The Program, my awareness has been hieghtened, and I am watchful of my character defects. So I avoid certain words that identify with a complaint, such as "I don't like....", etc. Instead I disguise it as teasing or something else along those lines - you know how it goes I say something that offends the person then, when they become indignant, I reply that "I was only joking!" This aspect, of relating to others, is easier to correct than the battle within. Another character defect of my dysfunctional upbringing is anger. I have made great improvements in this area PRAISE THE LORD with the help of Christian and secular counselors. We had discovered that part of my problem was not addressing the issues that bothered me, basicaly - complaining [I refused to be a complainer, a nag, or what ever you wanted to call it], and that I could only supress so much until I blew up in anger. So, inlies my predicament, how do I live up to my covenant within the Word, and still vent annoyances so that I'm not entering the cycle of anger by supression? I have learned to practice what Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,..." I expect that this is why I'm turning to my Christian siblings for advise or at least the second half of that verse "...being watchful to this end with all perserverance and supplication for all the saints" Thank you for listening, Bro Dennis |
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| Perserverance steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. |
| theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation. |
Supplication
To ask for humbly or earnestly, as by praying. To make a humble entreaty to; beseech.
13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18 The Message
18 At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all of God's people. Ephesians 6:18 New International Reader's Version
18With all (A)prayer and petition (B)pray at all times (C)in the Spirit, and with this in view, (D)be on the alert with all (E)perseverance and (F)petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 New American Standard Bible
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Hope this can help, it helped me LOL Thanks for posting this God bless Donna |
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Hi Dennis... Those are some good observations. This Sunday I'm going to deal with the issue that you raise - suppressing our anger vs. blowing up. Like many people, I'm a stewer and then an exploder. Several of my friends are working on breaking this cycle ourselves. See ya Sunday. Pastor Art |
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