The Definition "Anger" is: a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong; wrath.

The Problem. Do you become angry and lash out verbally or physically just to hurt; do you sulk or pout; do you feel sorry for yourself or have temper tantrums; or do you control yourself, but become bitter and resentful.

Have you been on the receiving end of another person's anger. Anger is like a stick of dynamite. It is useful if used correctly, but deadly when used incorrectly. It causes us to do things we would not otherwise do. The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, contains many verses that teach about anger:

• Proverbs 16:32. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."
• Proverbs 29:22. "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression."
• Ecclesiastes 7:9. "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools."
• 1 Corinthians 13:5. "[Love] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,"
• Ephesians 4:26-27. "Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath."
• James 1:20. "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
• James 3:6. "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."

We cannot always control what happens to us. But, we can do something about the way we react, and by doing so, change our lives. When we allow ourselves to become provoked over things we can't control, we hurt ourselves and those who are around us. Give your family and friends a gift they will cherish always: a pleasant and loving disposition that makes it a joy to be around you.

People who control their emotions become angry only over important things--usually, things that threaten others, not themselves. Anger is an appropriate response when the thing about which one is angry threatens harm to the innocent. We exhibit what we are through what makes us angry.

Even Jesus became angry (Mark 11:15-17). And throughout the Bible, we have many examples of God's righteous anger over man's sin.

Dealing with Anger. Christians are different. Ephesians 4:20-32 explains beautifully how God would have us to be after we become Christians. We must learn to control our anger, just as we learn to control other things in our lives.

1. Admit there is a problem--I lose my temper too often and for the wrong reasons.
2. Just stop--when you see it coming, before you lose control. Get your emotions in tow before you say a word.
3. Get away from whatever is making you angry. If necessary, go back when you've regained your self-control.
4. Take a good look at what makes you angry. Possibly, other problems (jealously, selfishness, and so on) are involved.
5. Do not become obsessed with retaliation. (1 Thess. 5:15: See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.)