Anger Control Problems

Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Shaking your fist at a tailgater, shouting at the kids, cursing out a police officer... I'm with Bush, we need a "kinder, gentler" nation.

Anger has its place. Jesus wasn't exactly laughing as He drove the money changers out of the temple. But He did first go to his friend's house and mull the situation through overnight before taking action.

But sudden outbursts of rage never accomplish anything for God.

Believe me, I have had my share of vengeful thoughts and angry actions, but they never accomplished a bit of good.

You can name a few people that your mind defaults to when you hear the words, "anger
control problem." I hope I am not one of them. :<)

We need to be filled with the Spirit of God so that His fruit would be produced in us. That fruit includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (self-control).

As you can see, there is no room for unrighteous anger in the life of a Sprit-filled
believer. If we have love for the lost as well as for the brethren, we know that love (charity) "doth not behave itself unseemly." That is, love behaves. It doesn't lose control. I Cor 13:5

If you are having problems with your anger:

1. Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit.

2. Do away with some of the things producing stress in your life.

3. See people (family, co-workers, friends, classmates, etc.) as God sees them.

4. Work on being a patient person.

5. Spend less time watching violence and hate on TV, movies and video games.

6. Dwell on the good things mentioned in Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

7. Be slow to anger. That is, have a longer fuse. Take time to think things out. Counting to 10 wouldn't hurt. It would save you a ton of grief.
Pro 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

8. Pray instead of popping off! Give the situation to the Lord. Ask Him to give you
restraint and wisdom.

9. Give a soft answer. Diffuse the situation with humor or kind words. Don't fuel the flames with angry words or by escalating the situation.
Pro 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

10. "Kill them" with the law of kindness
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Let's pray for each other that we head our anger off at the pass and learn to be a bit more laid back. Flaring up at the drop of a hat never turns out well.

Finally, if you have to, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:" Eph 4:26