We live in angry times. We see anger expressed most every day: driving on the highway, watching a drama on TV, or hearing the news. Some of us grew up in an angry home, where conflict never resolved and it escalated to anger. Others of us heard anger from the pulpit each week.
Even though the Bible never calls anger a sin, per se...often the way we express anger can be sinful. Scripture has a lot to say about anger, including how best to defuse our own anger as well as someone else’s—which shows that it can be done! Learning what’s behind our anger helps us unlock underlying emotions. And when the fear of anger is removed from a relationship, the freedom to work through conflict can produce immense satisfaction and understanding.
Let the Lord use these resources to help move your relationships toward unity as you seek to train this powerful emotion.
We tend to get angry when things don’t go the way we want. A good sense of humour can turn irritation into laughter. Next time things don’t go your way refuse to let your circumstances dampen your joy.
If you’re feeling discouraged instead of letting your circumstances feed your fear, focus on the Lord and trust, pray, and praise. Your circumstances may not change but through this process you will.
Anger is a God-given emotion and it’s not necessarily sinful. The Bible acknowledges that anger needs safeguards and teaches us how to control it.
When you have a tender heart and tough skin you forgive easily and are slow to take offence.
Rage is the most dangerous form of anger—it can so overcome a person that acts of violence are committed without conscious awareness.
Even though we are forgiven by God’s grace, sin has consequences and sometimes they’re devastating. When our actions harm others they can have lifelong ramifications.
When you’ve offended someone it’s not enough to make things right with God. You need to face the person you’ve hurt and say, “I’m sorry.” Admitting you’re wrong takes guts and strength of character.
We’ve all hurt others, and no matter how much time has passed it’s not too late to reconcile and make things right. We all need grace, and we all need to extend grace. Mending broken relationships speaks volumes to those around you.
You probably know by now life isn’t fair. And it’s easy to become bitter because of what happens—but if you don’t forgive you will be trapped in a prison of your own making. Forgiveness is the key to releasing you from bitterness, hatred, and resentment.
Restoring a relationship takes courage and humility, but it’s the right thing to do. Making things right is always worth it.
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