We all have a capacity for anger, and anger isn’t always a bad thing. God created our emotions, and anger certainly has righteous reasons for flaring up. All of us experience anger whenever we see cruelty, injustice, or similar transgressions, and anger can be expressed in healthy and godly ways. However, anger can come from many aspects of our life, and it can sometimes get the better of us. As Christians, how can we identify and cope with anger?

Anger can come from many different places and is often rooted in deeper psychology. Feelings of guilt, fear, or anxiety can trigger flashes of anger and cause us to lash out at those around us. Anger can often reveal different things about our life that we weren’t aware of before. The emotions of guilt, fear, and anxiety spawn feelings of anger because we lack control over the situation that caused them in the first place!

As Christians, we are commanded to be slow to anger. God realizes the damage that unrighteous and unchecked anger can cause, so he cautions us against it. However, we’re only human; gaining better control over emotions such as anger is often easier said than done. Christians, however, have a loving and patient God that we can turn to when we feel unsure of how to prevent our anger from getting the better of us. Coping with anger as a Christian can be achieved through the wisdom of the Bible.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians, “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger . . .” Paul understands here that anger is a natural part of life, but also advises us to not let it get the better of us and do not carry it with us throughout the day. As mentioned earlier, anger isn’t bad by nature; maintaining a balance with anger is crucial in living the life that God has called Christians to live.

The issue is not anger itself but how much it controls us. When we have self-control and are slow to anger, it is a sign of discipline, maturity, and strength. When we feel anger gaining control, we shouldn’t panic, but instead, we should repent and walk away from it, and join with God in prayer. Learning to control anger can be complicated, as anger is often the spawn of another issue going on within our lives. NuWell Christian Counseling is here to help Christians learn to control their anger through counseling that is faithful and true. If you’re having issues with anger, reach out to us so that our Christian counselors can help you grow in your faith and in yourself.