Posted on February 25, 2019 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
February 24 – March 2, 2019
Walk This Way: Anger
By Meghan Hemenway
I’m a peacemaker. I’m an enneagram 9, a harmonizer, a blue INFJ, a don’t-rock-the-boater. What ever personality test you like, I will always come out as the cross-legged yogi in front of a tranquil waterfall. Got the image? But have you ever done a Google image search for “peacemaker?” Some of you surely know where I am going here…it’s a gun. A bunch a stock photos of handguns. How can a weapon be the top image of peace? Where is my gently flowing waterfall?! But that is the irony. Being someone who seeks outward peace at all costs has led to some dark inner turmoil that unfortunately comes out only with those I love and trust the most. And the emotion this peacemaker relates best to? Anger. I have trouble expressing how I feel unless we are talking fiery anger and then I’m like a broken fire hydrant spewing a geyser of emotions.
Today Shibu shared about his experience facing his anger. It isn’t an easy part of your personality to reveal. As Shibu said, anger usually is a secondary emotion wrapped around a deeper emotion like shame. So admitting you are angry and that your anger isn’t the productive kind, but the destructive kind is hard. For me anger has wrapped itself around shame, fear, anxiety, and sadness. Anger is like a security blanket for me against feeling those deeper feelings.
Part of my journey in dealing with anger was discovering two things. One, I don’t need to feel ashamed about being angry. Anger can be a motivator for change and that can be good. The second discovery is that hiding who I really am and what I want and feel doesn’t let God or others into my life. It is just a way to try to wrestle with God over control of my life. Creating a wall of peace to protect my ball of anger isn’t what God wants for me. He didn’t design me this way so that I would sacrifice myself for others’ happiness. I am an imperfect person with an imperfect idea of peace. The peace God has to offer is so much fuller and complete.
We prayed a prayer today with our hands turned up to form a bowl for our anger. We offered up that anger to God and asked him to trade it for his peace. Knowing others deal with anger and knowing we have a God who is big enough to take all that from us makes me feel released from the burden of hiding and controlling. God wants more for us.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: God doesn’t ask us to avoid anger, but asks us to not sin. Be angry, but don’t sin. How can you do this? What examples has God given us of how to live and how to treat others? How is God’s anger different from our own?
NEW RESOURCE: Our own Seth Davidson has begun a Journey Vlog that you can subscribe to. Each week he offers an 8-10 minute overview about the scripture reading for the day. Simply follow along, listening to the corresponding date. CLICK HERE to check it out. Be sure to click "subscribe" on the page to follow him on YouTube!
{personal reflection and bible reading plan}
As you read the verses each day, make notes of questions you have about what you’re reading as well as answering the reflection questions below. Grab a friend or two to discuss what you are learning and what God is doing in your lives.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: We find Paul is before the king and is given a chance to speak for himself. Paul does not plead for his life but instead tells his journey to meeting and following Jesus. What would you say in regards to your story if you were in Paul’s position.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Festus speaks up and essentially calls Paul crazy. Thinking about it from his point of view I can imagine how crazy it would sound. What stories in the Bible have you read that stand out as strange or different?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: The king thinks Paul is trying to make him a follower of Jesus. What is Paul’s response? How can you apply Paul’s response to your life and those you come accross that are not followers of Jesus?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Have you ever been traveling on the highway or in a plane when a big storm hit? How did you feel? What did you put your hope in?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Paul could have stood up and said “I told you so! This what you get for not listening to me.” Instead he presses forward with God has reveleaved to him. It’s easy to receive a gift from God and to credit ourselves with that gift. What gifts from God have you received?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Shipwrecked and then bitten by a viper! Instead of comforting you the locals start saying you’re a murderer. That’s a bad day! Paul doesn’t seem shaken by this incredible bad day. Where is Paul’s focus? How does that help him keep perspective? Can you relate?
{community discussion questions}
We weren’t meant to experience the life of Jesus alone, so we encourage you to rally a few others to discuss what you are hearing, reading, and reflecting on together. Whether you are meeting as a Journey Community group, talking with a few friends throughout the week, or bringing up spiritual conversations around your table at home, feel free to use some of these questions as conversation starters on your journey.
Can you name a takeaway or challenge from the Sunday message?
How has that been relevant, challenging, or meaningful to your life this week?
What have you observed about God, Jesus, yourself, others, or God’s plan for you from these readings?
Where do you need a breakthrough from God this week?
Who do you need to share what you’re learning about God with?
{extra journey resources}
NEW RESOURCE:CLICK HERE to follow our own Seth Davidson on YouTube. He has begun a Journey Vlog that you can subscribe to. Each day he offers an 8-10 minute overview about the scripture reading for the day. Be sure to click "subscribe" on the page to follow this YouTube channel!
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources).
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get a free Bible for your phone, tablet, and computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
Please visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and share what you are learning, questioning or experiencing. We love conversations!
