Mismanaged Anger and the Pride of Self-Absorption

Mismanaged Anger and the 

Pride of Self-Absorption     

  

  by Pastor Dwight

Part six based on The Anger Trap by Dr Les Carter

Anger is tied to the craving for love, admiration and significance-sometimes it is 

a cry to be relieved from pain. To relate to others with respect or disrespect 

indicates the degree to which we are free from self-absorbed pride.

 Note the exalted “I” imprisoned here: prIde &  sIn 

“Positive Pride”: a parent or leader may feel pride in their children or team and express affirmation of their character.

The “Prison of Pride”: self-absorption is a prison of selfish, self-centered, insecurity, which often stems from unresolved hurts, pain or fears. These strongholds are protected by pride.
We become so inwardly focused that it isn’t just about persevering our needs but we can act smug, un-teachable, rudely, hurtful or mean. Our pride justifies our sinful way of mismanaging anger, instead of humbling ourselves and being assertive in a constructive way about our needs or feelings.

All of us need to Exchange Pride with Humility in Christ: If we say we have no denial or self-protection in us then we are in bigger trouble than we know. But if we admit our need for the mind of Christ (humility) He can help us choose to exchange our prideful ways of control and reaction with his own fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, etc…

Pride on display in Debates: Vice-President Joe Biden treated Paul Ryan with condescension, sarcasm and at times mean anger. President Obama in the first debate was sulky and avoided eye contact with Romney which also showed disrespect. Romney and Ryan don’t always act humble any more than you or I do. But it is easy to see why this administration have fomented division, class envy, blame, irresponsibility and anger. Wisdom and blessing are not present when leaders are filled with self-absorbing pride.

The strong person admits fault in order to improve. Humility is not a “milk-toast doormat.” Christ. acted with righteous anger which was helpful and attractive to the humble.

Personal and National Stewardship Issues:

The rich rules over the borrower and the borrower
becomes slave to the lender. Pro 22:7

What is my purpose investing: to provide for my household and increase my ability to give for God’s kingdom? Four ways to be a good financial steward: 1. Honor God by giving first to Him. 2. Deal with debt 3. Save, beginning with emergency fund. 4. Invest surplus 5. Diversify for safety.

Every spending decision is an investing decision.

What is the intent and the fruit of our government’s policies regarding debt and individual stewardship, including life? Compare your personal beliefs and values to US Government.

The Congressional Budget Office projects unprecedented trajectory of the debt compared to the scope of our national debt in the past: The debt will be larger than our entire economy in just a decade (a level we have experienced only once, very briefly, in the immediate wake of World War II).

Do you trust the government to be good stewards of life?

One of the main causes of increasing government spending is ObamaCare Health Law. Much controversy over the unclarity in this law toward possible funding of abortions and the possible “rationing of health care” to elderly and very ill.

IPAB (Independent Advisory Board) is a panel of 15 government-appointed "experts" to be set up to monitor/set the amounts that Medicare can reimburse doctors/hospitals for various services/procedures. Which may lead to fewer doctors accepting Medicare patients and thus longer wait times. In effect, medical services will be rationed.

Which do you prefer: Top-down, heavy-handed approach to medical care reform OR turning more of the decision-making over to individuals choices in a competitive private market?

-PD