How to Handle Your Anger

Living in this world guarantees that anger will be a common emotion. God’s Word provides helpful wisdom regarding how to handle our anger.

The Perception of Anger

Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

  • Anger is not evil but certain expressions are.
  • Anger provides an indication that something is not the way it should be.
  • If handled correctly, anger can be a tool to address serious injustices.
  • If handled incorrectly, anger can create more evil than what caused it in the first place.

The Presence of Anger

Anger will always lead to some type of expression:

  • Internalization – Repressing anger just intensifies it until an explosive later date.
  • Ventilation – Unhealthy outlets of anger can come in the form of verbal, physical, or emotional intimidation.
  • Devastation – Anger can lead to destructive habits that serve as unhelpful coping mechanisms.
  • Confrontation – To address a problem constructively, use gentle yet clear confrontational efforts.

The Principles of Anger

  • Hebrews 12:15 ESV15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 
  • Proverbs 16:32 ESV32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 
  • Proverbs 29:11 ESV11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. 
  • James 1:19 ESV19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 
  • Romans 12:19 ESV19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 
  • Ephesians 4:31–32 ESV31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

The Progress of Anger

  1. What makes you angry?
  2. How do you most often express your anger?
  3. Does anger ever effect your health?
  4. What type of ways have you seen anger expressed dangerously?
  5. How do you successfully calm your anger?
  6. How to you involve God in your fight against anger?
  7. What unresolved anger of yours needs to be dealt with first?