Anger and Despair - Luke 15:26-32

You notice the father, his response, and, really, you look at the father, he's a picture of the father in heaven. And that's why it's that's really what makes this whole story so powerful is that he was waiting for the son to come home. And when he came home, the father already had a forgiving heart. He didn't have to process the forgiveness. The forgiveness was already in place. All he had to do was simply wait to receive, and that's what he did. And that's the way the father is with us. He's not processing forgiveness with you. He's not saying, will I forgive him? I'm not sure. I mean, he said, you come to me. I'm already waiting. [00:07:17] (38 seconds)  #ForgivingFather

Discontentment is always a result of not believing the lord in your life, and, you know, people seem to coddle that. You can't coddle discontentment. You can't cure discontentment by getting what you want because discontentment does not get cured. You just keep adding to the list, amen, of things that you want and keep not getting it. It's a lust for more. It's the basis of every temptation of the heart. So no matter what it is, if it's immorality, if it's thieves, stealing, cheating, whatever it may be, it's all a result of discontentment with your life, which is a result of being not believing God for his care of your life. [00:01:04] (40 seconds)  #DiscontentBreedsSin

Now we many times are like this brother who is angry. Notice the anger came very quickly with the brother. It didn't take much for him to associate the fact that he had not received all these things that his brother was getting. So this wasn't something that hit him on the spot. This is something that was already resting in his soul. He was already discontent, and therefore, what took place is when something triggered it, like his brother coming and him getting something, he immediately got angry at the fact that his brother got it and he didn't. So we see jealousy here. We see anger here. [00:06:06] (41 seconds)  #JealousyAndAnger

Why is that? Because there's no way that any man without the help of God can bring yourself out of state of hopelessness into complete contentment. You need God. That's why the bible says, ye that are spiritual restore such a one. It has to be a spiritual person that guides you in the truth. It just can't be someone that's got a medical degree or has been to school. There's and I'm not saying a lot of those things aren't helpful. There are some things and exercises that may help you, but I'm gonna tell you something. Even though you can manage your situation, you'll never have freedom. [00:20:31] (35 seconds)  #NeedGodForContentment

People often express anger in destructive ways when when people are cursing and you know, that's why I say cursing is not of God. I mean, you're just throwing out a curse word and trying to hurt somebody that way. That's a that's based in anger. The cutting words that you that you use to to try to cause pain in somebody's soul. You know? That that's based in anger. Violent actions, the punching the wall, the kicking the dog. I don't know. Whatever it is, that's that's anger. Relational conflict. Whenever there's fights in the home and marriage problems, that's anger. [00:11:50] (37 seconds)  #DestructiveAnger

Most people that have lived lives characterized by anger are also self centered. Anger is a characteristic of a self centered person. They're just thinking really about themselves in the situation, not other people. And so anger is so selfish. It really, really is. That should help us, you know, but not want it in our lives. Amen? The main causes of anger tend to lead us to focus on ourselves and what is happening to us. And so every time we have a conversation with people, well, this is what's happening to me. This is what this is what they did. And I you know, as a pastor, I talk to a lot of people. [00:09:34] (37 seconds)  #AngerIsSelfCentered

Because sometimes it can be just like saying saying something out loud and verbalizing it. The silent treatment treatment in the home, that's anger. Amen? It could be quiet. It could be simmering. It could be in the heart. That's anger. And so all of that is self centered. You're wanting your way. You're not getting your way. It's all based in unbelief of God in the situation. Jealousy is also a sign of anger, and discontentment. A jealous person is discontent with what they have and desire what others have to the extent that they wish the others did not have it as well. [00:15:00] (37 seconds)  #SilentAnger

I'm waiting with a forgiving heart the same way Jesus, demonstrated us on the cross of Calvary when he committed himself unto him that judges righteously, and he says, father, forgive them for they know not what they do. He did not go to any individual that day and say, forgive you. I forgive you. I forgive you. And you shouldn't either. That's not the way you forgive. Well, I'm just gonna go to them, tell them I forgive them. No. You've forgiven your heart, and you wait for them to come to you to ask for forgiveness. [00:07:56] (26 seconds)  #ForgiveByWaiting