Christian anger management means looking to God for the answers to managing your hostility. As a Christian, you understand the importance of following God's word and that includes how you react to situations.
What God Says About Anger
God understands that people become angry because He also felt anger towards people and situations. However, it's not the anger that you feel that is the problem, it's what you do with that feeling. God used his anger to make situations and people better and did not hold onto resentment.
God forgives people who forsake Him just as you should forgive others who betray you. It's not always easy to let go of hurt feelings but in order to continue to follow God's word, you must make amends with yourself as well as others. Holding onto unconstructive fury will not only hurt others but you as well, which is why letting go of these feelings is best.
Practicing Christian Anger Management
Practicing Christian stress and anger management means keeping the Lord in mind when faced with difficult situations. Meditating using the Bible will remind you of all the instances when God was able to use His anger constructively and how He would like others to use their hostility. It may be helpful to write down Bible scriptures that reference hostility to remind yourself of how you should handle certain situations and people. The following are a few scriptures from the bible that you can reflect on:
- "People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm." "If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are." Proverbs 14 (17,29)
- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 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. (Ephesians 4:29-32)
- Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32)
- "Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" (James 1:20)
- Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
- Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. (Psalm 37:8)
Christian Resources for Anger Management Help
It might help to look for resources online for practicing Christian anger management. A great site to visit is Doug Britten Books. The site has a free online Bible study you can follow to help you learn how to use Bible scriptures in managing hostility.
Ask your church if it has a Christian anger management group you can join. If not, inquire about starting your own. You'd be surprised at how many people wish they were able to control their temper using the Lord as a guide.
If you are not able to join or start a group at your church, try your community. You can look in local newspapers for groups or start your own by placing an ad for one. Letting people in your church and other Christian organizations know about your group can help you gather enough people to have a great Bible study on managing hostility.
Managing Anger for a Lifetime
To be able to control your hostility effectively you will have to continue your study of the Bible and keep the Lord in your life. This is not something you can read once because life will get in the way, making you forget how God would like you to react to stressful situations. Rereading and reminding yourself what God wants of you will help you be a better Christian with less stress and anger in your life.
