Anger Management

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." - Eph. 4: 26

I speak from personal experience when I say that I have dealt with excessive anger issues in my own life. I have sinned in my anger before and have had to repent and ask forgiveness, both from the victim and from God. I find my own nasty temper embarrassing and I have gained better control over it through the years. Nowadays I'm more apt to let an issue go rather than lose a friendship or make an already tense situation with an enemy escalate.

Anger is a normal human emotion. It's just one more thing that we have to exercise control over the same as we would any other emotion to keep it from going to the extreme.

God modeled a healthy example of anger for us in Psalm. 30: 5. His anger is short-lived and his favor towards us lasts a lifetime. God was not in a good mood in Exodus 33: 3 or Isaiah 54: 7. He doesn't reject the person in His anger, but their sin. When we return to Him and repent, He's there with open arms. We're not on probation or held at arms length. He fully takes us back. That's what touches my heart and makes the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15: 11-20 my favorite. The father didn't stand upon the hill looking down at his disobedient, sinful son with arms folded and say, "I told you so." No! He ran to him when he saw him approaching home and took him in his arms. His precious child had returned home. Forgive me for taking this rabbit trail away from the topic, but that example of God's superior love towards us still gets to me.

Time is a factor in turning anger into sin. It may be natural to get angry, but holding onto that anger puts you into a full-tilt boogie towards it causing you to sin. The reason why is that the anger becomes more deep-seated the longer you hang on to it. It will eventually make you bitter (Heb. 12: 15). By refusing to make up when the other party tries to, you're putting yourself in a perpetual state of offense with that person. Consider the following:

Know when to let go of your anger (Psa. 4: 4; Prov. 15: 1).

Going to bed angry also causes insomnia (Eccl. 5: 3). Did you know that?

Satan can also seize you if you get yourself so mired in anger that you sin (1 Pet. 5: 8).

Weapons can take on the form of words, thoughts, or actions. Choose them carefully (Prov. 25: 11).

Arguments are caused by pride (Prov. 13: 10).

You buy what you justify. In order to rid yourself of an unacceptable behavior you must deny it access to your life so God can remove it (Luk. 9: 23; Gal. 5: 16-20; Mk. 14: 36).

Regarding unresolved conflict, you're to reach out to the injured party and ask forgiveness (Rom. 12: 18). If they deny you the same, then you just have to let it go. You've done what God required of you. Also, settle quickly with your enemies (Mt. 5: 23-26). That's just exercising the good sense of damage control.

Remember to control your tongue (Jas. 3: 2-6, 12-13; Prov. 18: 21); keep your speech clean (Mt. 15: 11; 10: 19-20); and choose to overlook others' transgressions (Prov. 19: 11; 1 Pet. 2: 21-23; and Luk. 17: 4) The way God chooses to forgive us depends upon our willingness to do so for others (Col. 3: 13; Mt. 6: 14-15).

We all have our besetting sin, and this is one of mine. I have to work on it daily because I'm naturally wired to be a hot-head. I hope these verses will help you get a handle on it too, of this is your weakness as well.


Love Ya,
God Bless!