Lynette J Hoy - Whats good about anger? : an anger management course with application devotionals

by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC

W elcome to the Whats Good About Anger? course.

Its hard to believe that there is anything good about anger, isnt it? As you read this book, I am hoping that you will discover, though, that you can let God control your anger and use your anger for His purposes. That is what is good about anger! Since God is good and God gets angry, then, as His child and with His power, you can learn how to be good and angry.

This course is not only a book on anger management--it emphasizes the source of anger, triggers that provoke anger, scriptural examples of how to express anger in a godly manner, and how to turn anger into faith, problem solving, assertiveness, and forgiveness.

Whats Good About Anger? is meant to assist people with differing experiences and in all walks of life. People with hidden anger who might be feeling depressed. People with explosive anger. Even p eople who dont believe they have ever felt angry.

So take your time reading through this book and completing the questions and activities. I hope you will come to realize that anger can be a healthy emotion to motivate you to change, and better yet, that God can transform you and use your anger for His glory.

Instructions for Use of the Whats Good About Anger? Course

1. Complete the Anger Survey. This will help you to assess when, where, and how you get angry and your general provocation scenario (GPS). Be honest about your feelings and experience with anger. After all, this course-work is personal and geared to help you get an understanding of how you can grow in tackling any problem you may be having with anger in your life and in your relationships.
2. Then read through the book, completing the questions as you progress. Additional information is given on how to apply your general provocation scenario (found in the Anger Survey) to the section in the course on Handling Anger Biblically. Be in prayer as you work through this, asking God to speak to you.
3. Keep an anger log throughout the time you are reading this book. Each day think about and try one or two of the suggestions for handling anger. Especially apply the steps in Handling Anger Biblically to each situation. Make certain you make a habit of prayer, asking the Lord to change you. Write out your basic concerns, your options and requests.
4. Read When to Take a Time-Out in order to make a plan for the situations that come up that cause your anger to escalate more quickly and make you feel like you are losing control. If you still find your anger escalating, then lengthen your time-out period (Example: one hour instead of 30 minutes).
5. Evaluate your thinking with the cognitive distortions questions and log your thinking patterns. This exercise will help you identify any false perspective you have about people or situations and challenge whether it is correct.
6. Finally complete the Plan to Change Your Life By Changing Your Thinking and Trusting God and read the application devotionals.

Additional aspects of this course will encourage you to apply forgiveness, assertiveness, problem-solving and biblical principles to your life in order to learn to manage your anger in a godly way.

I ndividual preparation: Spend time reading each chapter prior to each meeting and answering the questions. Complete any assignments.

Group rules for participation:

1. Keep whatever is said in the group confidential.
2. Use "I" messages vs. "you" messages.
3. Don't give advice unless it is requested.
4. You don't have to talk if you prefer not to.
5. Avoid covering your pain with humor.

Leader guidelines:

1. Ask the participants to agree to keep confidential what is discussed in the group. This will make the group a safe place for sharing and accountability.
2. Promote participation by drawing out quieter people and setting boundaries with those who tend to monopolize.
3. Open the first session by reading the foreword, introduction and guidelines. Ask people to share what brought them to the group and what they hope to learn. Direct participants to complete the Anger Survey if there is time.
4. Begin subsequent sessions with a review of the previous week's material. Summarize or read the chapter you are covering and lead a discussion of the questions. Share your own situations and feelings to provide a role model for group members.
5. Explore how to apply the coping skills, Scriptures, principles and new concepts to specific situations people share. Ask: How can you personally apply this Scripture or concept to one of your situations/triggers this week?