1. The Holy Spirit teaches us about the severe damage that can be done by uncontrolled anger. The Spirit of God reminds us of the destructive consequences that came upon Cain who said, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth." (Gen 4:13,14) Ask the Lord to remind you of the terrible consequences of uncontrolled anger: Esau (Gen. 27:45); Simeon and Levi (Gen 49:5-7); Moses (Numb. 20:10,11); Balaam (Numb 22:27); Saul (I Sam. 20:30); Ahab (I Kings 21:4); Naaman (2 Kings 5:11); Asa (2 Chron. 16:10); Uzziah (2 Chron 26:19); Haman (Esther 3:5); Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3:13); Jonah (Jon 4:4); Herod (Matt. 2:16); Jews (Luke 4:28); High Priest (Acts 5:17; ;7:54) Ask the Lord to help you overcome feelings of anger with Christ’s peace and self-control.
2. The Holy Spirit helps us understand why we feel so angry or frustrated. Paul knew something about uncontrolled anger and frustration in his experience with the Corinthians. He wrote, "You are still wordly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not wordly? For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere men?" (I Cor. 3:3,4) Ask the Lord to help you to not take things so personally or feel that you are being rejected, abused or mistreated without the Lord being able to work all things together for your good. (Rom. 8:28,29)
3. The Holy Spirit comforts us and instructs us when we are feeling threatened, treated unjustly or taken advantage of. Solomon wrote, "The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape." (Prov. 11:8,9) Ask the Lord to comfort and instruct you to know how to respond when you are provoked.
4. The Holy Spirit helps us surrender our rights to the Lord when we are tempted to lash out in anger. Peter wrote, "Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you." (I Pet. 5:8) Ask the Lord to help you to turn over your rights, desires, and hurt feelings to the Lord allowing Him to fight your battles for you.
5. The Holy Spirit knows how to assist each personality type with anger control guidelines. Choleric people normally fall into an autocratic mode when they feel attacked or angered. These individuals need to learn how to listen to the Lord and wise counselors without feeling they have to control everything to feel successful. Sanguine people usually respond by attacking another when they feel attacked or angered. These individuals need to learn how to remind themselves of the need to put away anger, slander, and all forms of malice even when they feel their reputation may be damaged. Phlegmatic people tend to acquiesce when they are attacked or angered choosing to be a peace regardless of its consequences. These individuals need to learn to be courageous regardless of the price they may have to temporarily suffer for Christ. Melancholy people normally try to avoid anyone who shows anger. These individuals choose to isolate themselves from many people as they are controlled more by their fear than by faith. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to know how to nurture, instruct and counsel all personality types in your church in ways of coping more effectively with their feelings of anger.
6. The Holy Spirit teaches us that anger is often rooted in sins of pride, selfish ambition, or lusts for power, prestige or control. Paul wrote, "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. 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 forgives you." (Eph. 4:29-32) Ask the Lord to help you consciously put away all forms of bitterness, rage and malice. Trust the Lord to help you replace feelings of hostility with attitudes of compassion, kindness and forgiveness.
7. The Holy Spirit helps us commit, trust and delight ourselves in the Lord whenever we feel like expressing our anger. David wrote, "Trust in the Lord and do good, delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil." (Psalm 37:3-8) Ask God for help in being so busy with committing, trusting and delighting in the Lord’s will that you are facilitated in putting away anger.
8. The Holy Spirit gives us transformed Christ controlled perspectives through scriptural meditation that helps us alleviate feelings of anger. Paul writes, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:2,21) Ask the Lord to help you take the offensive with positive acts of love to help you overcome feelings of anger, hostility and antagonism of all types, in all circumstances in all your relationships.
