Mind Games Week 2

Core Principle

- Anger is not inherently sinful, but how we respond to it determines whether it becomes sin.

- Scripture says, “In your anger, do not sin.”

Common Anger Responses

- Exploders/Venters – openly express anger, often in destructive ways.

- Bottlers – suppress anger, letting it build up internally.

Steps to Deal with Anger

1. Recognize: Acknowledge that you are angry.

2. Reflect: Ask, “Why am I angry?”

3. Evaluate: Consider, “Should I be angry?”

4. Assess: Determine if your response is proportionate to the situation.

Key Insights

- No one can force us to respond in anger — we are responsible for our reactions.

- Normally the neocortex governs our responses rationally, but anger can trigger an amygdala hijack, bypassing rational thought.

- Anger is a learned behavior — what is learned can be unlearned with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Perspective

- Anger often stems from pride.

- God calls us to be meek, not weak.

- We should ask God to lead us and guide our reactions so they reflect Christlike character.