How do we deal with anger has been explained by so many people out there, guidelines have been given, but as I said before, human behavior is never the same to all of us, we differ in how we react to things that trigger those moments of anger, so I am just going to explain how the Lord would want us to deal with anger since this is our standing ground as Christians. I am going to share with Bible verses that focus on how a Christian is to react to anger and those moments that triggers the anger. Again, staying away from anger depends on how far you are willing to go to avoid being angry. My explanation will be accompanied with what the bible has to say because I believe that the Bible is the final authority to my life as long as I walk down this earth, the same to you as a professing believer in the Lord. If you're looking for help with anger issues or dealing with someone else with anger problems, the best place to start is the Holy Bible that has been designed to help you with your anger. It's hard to do, but turning to God can make you a more peaceful and relaxed person. I have experienced this and I have lived with it, so when I talk about it, I am talking about it in real life.
Here we are with so much anger, how do we deal with it depends on how we want to react to it and the Bible has so much to say on how we should react to anger. So let me help you out here:
The best way to overcome anger is by asking yourself this question ‘ Would Christ do it, or how would Christ have reacted to this circumstance?’ when you have done that, I am sure you will know exactly how to control your anger. Anger is not bad to a Christian, but we have to make sure that it is a righteous anger, and not anger that is filled with selfishness and lustful desires that are not pleasing to the Lord or others. Biblically, anger is God-given energy intended to help us solve problems. Examples of biblical anger include David’s being upset over hearing Nathan the prophet sharing an injustice (2 Samuel 12) and Jesus’ anger over how some of the Jews had defiled worship at God’s temple in Jerusalem (John 2:13-18). Notice that neither of these examples of anger involved self-defense, but a defense of others or of a principle. This is the kind of anger Christians are to experience, not anger of satisfying self desires. Anger can become sinful when it is motivated by pride (James 1:20), when it is unproductive and thus distorts God’s purposes (1 Corinthians 10:31), or when anger is allowed to linger (Ephesians 4:26-27). One obvious sign that anger has turned to sin is when, instead of attacking the problem at hand, we attack the wrongdoer. Ephesians 4:15-19 says we are to speak the truth in love and use our words to build others up, not allow rotten or destructive words to pour from our lips. We can handle anger biblically by recognizing and admitting our prideful anger and/or our wrong handling of anger as sin (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9). This confession should be both to God and to those who have been hurt by our anger. We should not minimize the sin by excusing it or blame-shifting.
‘’Here are simple guidelines to how we can handle anger as Christians, I borrowed them from gotquestions.org, I have found them very helpful and I hope that you will find them helpful too.
We can handle anger biblically by making room for God’s wrath. This is especially important in cases of injustice, when “evil” men abuse “innocent” people. Genesis 50:19 and Romans 12:19 both tell us to not play God. God is righteous and just, and we can trust Him who knows all and sees all to act justly (Genesis 18:25).
We can handle anger biblically by returning good for evil (Genesis 50:21; Romans 12:21). This is key to converting our anger into love. As our actions flow from our hearts, so also our hearts can be altered by our actions (Matthew 5:43-48). That is, we can change our feelings toward another by changing how we choose to act toward that person.
We can handle anger biblically by communicating to solve the problem. There are four basic rules of communication shared in Ephesians 4:15, 25-32:
1) Be honest and speak (Ephesians 4:15, 25). People cannot read our minds. We must speak the truth in love.
2) Stay current (Ephesians 4:26-27). We must not allow what is bothering us to build up until we lose control. It is important to deal with what is bothering us before it reaches critical mass.
3) Attack the problem, not the person (Ephesians 4:29, 31). Along this line, we must remember the importance of keeping the volume of our voices low (Proverbs 15:1).
4) Act, don’t react (Ephesians 4:31-32). Because of our fallen nature, our first impulse is often a sinful one (v. 31). The time spent in “counting to ten” should be used to reflect upon the godly way to respond (v. 32) and to remind ourselves how the energy anger provides should be used to solve problems and not create bigger ones.
At times we can handle anger preemptively by putting up stricter boundaries. We are told to be discerning (1 Corinthians 2:15-16; Matthew 10:16). We need not "cast our pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). Sometimes our anger leads us to recognize that certain people are unsafe for us. We can still forgive them, but we may choose not to re-enter the relationship’’.
Finally, we must act to solve our part of the problem (Romans 12:18). We cannot control how others act or respond, but we can make the changes that need to be made on our part. Overcoming a temper is not accomplished overnight. But through prayer, Bible study, and reliance upon God’s Holy Spirit, ungodly anger can be overcome. We may have allowed anger to become entrenched in our lives by habitual practice, but we can also practice responding correctly until that, too, becomes a habit and God is glorified in our response. Borrowed from gotquestions.org
Throughout the process of anger the Lord calls us as Christians to be merciful, overlook the sins of others, not to take revenge, treat people with love and grace. But we can only do this by the power of God’s Word and Spirit. When it comes to the moments of anger a Christian should react in a Christian way since they have been transformed by the renewal of their mind, they have become new creatures in the Lord, and they a required to behave as the Lord Jesus would if He was in such circumstance. The Bible instructs us, "In your anger, do not sin." (Eph. 4:26) Holding a grudge is natural, but that doesn't make it right. A grudge is actually one of the most toxic sins you can commit. Another example of sinful anger is mean-spirited communication.
I hope that this simple explanation has given you an overview on how we are to deal with anger if we are true Christians in the Lord, I will close this post by giving you some bible verses that talks about how we should react to anger, especially when we Christians should have known better one how to deal with it.
Nehemiah 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsook them not.
Psalms 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.
Psalms 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry deals foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Matthew 5:22 But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Ephesians 4:26 Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath:
Colossians 3:8 But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
First page of anger Bible Verses here…
Second page of anger Bible Verses here….
Because of His love, I am a secured package forever,
Rumishael Ulomi
