5 Ways to Control Your Anger

Scripture says, “In your anger, do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). Yet, anger is a big emotion that is difficult to control. Unchecked anger can lead to bitterness, resentment, and other destructive elements that can destroy not only your emotional health but also your ability to maintain healthy relationships with others.

However, it is not impossible to control anger. Anger indicates an issue in the soul that needs to be resolved. If dealt with appropriately, anger can be a catalyst that can give a person a renewed sense of peace and tranquility.

5 Ways to Control Your Anger

Here are five ways to control your anger:

1) Forgive often

Forgiveness is vital when dealing with emotional health. When a person commits an offense, the offended party can become angry regarding the situation. However, when a person is quick to forgive others as they have been forgiven, it helps keep the anger from becoming explosive.

Scripture says it is important to forgive others multiple times: “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Everyone must remember that they too have committed offenses. Just as they would desire forgiveness, they must forgive as well. Be an example to others and forgive others quickly and often.

2) Seek help

There is nothing wrong with seeking help from a professional to help effectively resolve anger. Depending upon the offense, anger may be a difficult emotion to lose. A third party can help see the situation from a different perspective. A counselor can brainstorm ways to move forward from the situation and seek restoration for broken relationships.

When an angry person seeks help, they take the first step to restoring relationships destroyed by anger. The counselor may also provide tips and strategies for an angry person to resolve anger in healthy, appropriate ways.

3) Be grateful

One of the main antitheses to anger is gratitude. Anger is an emotion that often masks a deeper issue such as sadness, grief, or loss. However, when one seeks to focus on what they have rather than what they don’t have, gratitude is more easily sought.

Start a gratitude journal and list five things you are thankful for each day. After one month, look back and see what you wrote. You’ll be amazed at how much you have rather than what you don’t have. Life is about perspective. People who choose to focus on the positive rather than the negative have more fulfilling, enriched lives than those who choose to only see the negative.

4) Talk to a friend

If a counselor is unavailable, seek the help of a trusted friend. True friends want to see you grow and change. Sometimes this means speaking the truth to help you see a better alternative to your plight. A friend has a person’s best interests at heart. A good friend strikes a good balance between truth and grace.

Additionally, that friend knows the difference between the two and knows which one to use accordingly. Heed a friend’s advice and allow it to lead you in positive steps toward good relationships.

5) Ask the Holy Spirit

Even in our darkest times, we have the power to ask the Holy Spirit for help in any matter. Even when it is difficult to lose our anger, Christians can ask the Holy Spirit for help. Pour out your feelings to God. Tell him all about what is making you angry. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you get to the root of the real issue. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to convict you.

If there are any ways in which you have been at fault for the anger, you need to acknowledge it and resolve it effectively. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you release anger in appropriate, healthy ways. Find Bible verses where people from the Bible exhibited self-control. How did they do this? In our own strength, we can do nothing. With the Holy Spirit, we can overcome anger.

Finding Anger Management Support

Everyone experiences anger at some point. Even Jesus experienced anger. However, it is what a person does with his or her anger that matters. Everyone suffers from trials and situations that cause anger. However, it is their reaction to that anger that matters.

Seek the help of those who will help dissolve the anger effectively and you can expect good, enriching relationships in the future. If you would like to discuss your anger with a trained professional in Santa Monica, California, contact us today to set up your first appointment at Santa Monica Christian Counseling.