Anger Management

Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Do you ever get angry?

I am right now! I kid…but I think we can all say we have been angry. Some of us get angry almost every day. Some of us get REALLY angry while others only get “a little ticked.” Do you ever wonder if your anger is a bad thing? Do you ever feel like you need help dealing with your anger and keeping your anger from controlling your actions?

Anger is not always a bad thing. In fact…anger can sometimes be a very positive thing. How can anger be a positive thing?

Anger can motivate us to right wrongs and make positive changes in our lives and in our relationships.

Now for the side of anger that we are more familiar with…Anger can make you lose control of your actions and potentially do something harmful or violent. Anger can make you say things you don’t mean to say and can make you become a monster to the people you love most. This is the type of anger we have to learn to control and prevent from breaking through in our lives.

How can you take control of your anger?

1. Find ways to resolve conflicts as quickly as possible.
2. Get rid of any feelings of bitterness and resentment. These are both poisons that will eventually consume you if you cannot learn to forgive and place your pain in God’s hands.
3. When you feel your anger levels rising…step away from the situation for a moment to calm down and think things through.
4. Pray for your enemies. Jesus taught this because He knows it is impossible to stay angry with someone if you are praying for them…if you can forgive them and be kind to them.

…43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…

Matthew 5:43-45

So that is it…simple as that. Ok…it’s not really that simple. But we CAN do it…if we ask for God to help us with it.

We have to hand over our emotions to God and let the Holy Spirit guide us through life’s trials.

When we are able to do this, it shows progress in the process of spiritual maturity. When you find yourself getting angry, ask yourself if you are concerned with honoring God or worried about your own pride. Ask God to help you control your anger by handing your problems over to Him and keeping your focus on honoring Him.