Antidotes For Anger

ANTIDOTES FOR ANGER

Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned (Gautama Buddha). Cease from anger because it rests in the bosom of fools.

Anger is a strong emotional reaction of displeasure, often leading to plans for revenge or punishment. This world contains many angry people, not just nonbelievers alone, even Christians struggle with the powerful forces of anger. Anger is a rampant problem that wrecks families, harms children, tears apart churches, and divides the body of Christ. Are you an angry person?

Some people find that expressing their anger is satisfying and exhilarating. They feel powerful and superior when they intimidate others. However, anger damages those who give into it. Few people like to be around those who are angry.

Some individuals use anger to intimidate and control others, to feel superior, and to avoid dealing with problems and responsibilities. Anger may also stem from pride and selfishness, such as when a person fails to get his or her way, and from a lack of meekness or patience in the face of provocation. Some individuals become angry when feeling frustrated, hurt, or disappointed.

The scriptures warn against anger. David instructed the Israelites to “cease from anger, and forsake wrath” (Psalm 37:8). In Proverbs, it is taught that “he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32). The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, “Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

One of the things that the devil uses against believers is anger. Let no man claim to be free from this spirit because a raging anger can be triggered only by frustration. When Moses was frustrated by the Israelites, his anger became unquenchable, this caused him to sin against God. Unfortunately, his inability to abolish the spirit of anger eventually destroyed him and caused him not to enter into the promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:4).

Anger leads to more anger. If you think ones anger is bad now, it will get worse unless you take a strong course of action. " Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions." (Proverbs 10:12)

Anger becomes addictive and angry people don’t simply change. "A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for if you rescue him, you will have to do it again " (Proverbs 19:19)

Anger is often expressed in three unhealthy ways–through aggression, internalization, or passive-aggressive behavior.

1. AGGRESSION.

Anger is expressed through:

---- Physical violence (hitting, biting, kicking, battering, hair pulling, pinching, slapping, destroying property).

----- Emotional and verbal abuse (yelling, name calling, swearing, threatening, blaming, ridiculing, arguing, provoking, intimidating, manipulating, demeaning).

---- Sexual abuse (rape, incest, molestation, sexual harassment).

2. INTERNALIZATION.

Anger is directed toward the self, leading to self-denigration, depression, or self-damaging acts (drinking, drug use, suicide attempts, self-mutilation).

3. PASSIVE - AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR.

Anger is expressed through indirect actions (tardiness, irresponsibility, stubbornness, sarcasm, dishonesty, irritability, discontentment, criticism, procrastination).

THERE ARE 6 KINDS OF ANGER

1. ANGER WITH OURSELVES.

Self anger is good and commendable; when we are angry with ourselves, either because we have done something which is ill, or have not done so much good, not so well as we might. Apostle Paul numbered this type of anger among the effects of that godly sorrow which works repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of: Indignation and revenge are both the births of anger; these are numbered among the effects of Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:11). Indignation against others is seldom without sin; and revenge, in our own cause upon others, is ever sinful; these are to be repented of, and therefore they cannot be the effects of true repentance. It was then indignation and revenge upon themselves, because they have done evil, which the Apostle observed and commended as good in those Corinthians.

2. ANGER WITH OTHERS

It is a good thing to be angry, when we see others act against or depart from their duty, especially Christian duty. Those who cannot be angry with man on this ground has no zeal for God; while the anger of man waxes hot, purely upon this account, the spirit of God is the fire which boils it up. We are angry for God's sake when He is dishonored.

This anger cares about others, attacks the sin instead of the sinner. It is expressed when we are confronted with sins such as in cases of child abuse, pornography, racism, homosexuality activity, sexual fornication, abortion, and more. The biblical Christ get angry at sin, even the sins of His disciples (Matthew 23:1-26). Jesus is perfectly righteous, and holy and cannot endure the presence of transgression without responding in wrath because His anger is always righteous ( Romans 1:18). James also gives us excellent instruction when it comes to righteous indignation (James 1:19-20). The Apostle Peter echoes this advice, especially for those times when we face those antagonistic toward God and the things of God in (1 Peter 3:14-17).