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Being angry is a natural emotion that we will all feel. Really, you could look at it as a place we all find ourselves in at some time or another.
The route that gets us to the place called anger varies by each person and circumstance because we all have different starting points on the road of life.
However, whether or not we stay there depends on our ability to navigate the terrain of “what made us angry.” Although troublesome and frustrating things always occur in life, how we respond to them matters the most.
For instance, I worked on a retail store set-up crew years ago. They hired dozens of employees and didn't hesitate to find reasons to “let us go” if we did the slightest thing wrong. When many of our crew were laid off, some yelled, others tried to negotiate, and a few quietly walked out and left.
Then I noticed a few over time that asked to use the restroom before leaving. Later, we found that they stuffed the toilet full of paper towels, backing it up. The same scenario of being laid off happened to several people, but some had better reactions than others.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “That which has been is that which will be [again], and that which has been done is that which will be done again. So, there is nothing new under the sun.”
We aren't experiencing anything that no one else has experienced before. We can all find this reassuring as we look at our emotional reactions to difficult situations.
What are Anger Issues?
Anger issues are when you react violently and quickly to the smallest issues. For instance, someone bumps into you at the grocery store, and you quickly yell at them or seek to become physical.
Additionally, you may suffer from anger issues when you notice that it is increasingly hard to calm yourself down when upset and suppress the desire to express your anger.
You may also find yourself or others with anger issues, often accusing others of saying or doing things behind closed doors that betray your trust. People with anger issues also have difficulty settling disputes with others without getting angry.
Moreover, those with these problems find it hard to accept constructive criticism without feeling personally attacked. They may even become violent after drinking alcohol and will punch or break things to release their inner tension.
Lastly, those suffering from anger problems can turn their aggression inwardly, causing self-harm or resorting to periods of isolation.
Different Ways to Deal with Anger Issues
There are ways to deal with and overcome anger issues. First, it is essential to know your triggers. What makes you angry? What are your pet peeves? Where is all this frustration coming from?
You, like many others, may have been publicly humiliated in the past or suffering from grief, self-esteem issues, stress from work or financial hardships. Perhaps your anger issues stem from being mistreated, some form of abuse you have experienced, or a mental health condition.
Whatever the underlying issues or trauma from your past that makes you angry, you can overcome this issue. Matthew 19:26 says, “With men, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”
If you can’t honestly and objectively have this conversation with yourself, take it to God in prayer and seek Godly counsel from a Pastor or Christian counselor. Then, you will begin to make real progress and become less angry.
You may feel like you're sinking into a sea of anxiety and stress, but the Lord loves you and can pull you out of that angry sea. So, take time to pray about your anger and ask the Lord to show you how to handle stress most effectively.
And read bible verses about anger to calm you, cause you to think, give you hope, and have the courage to overcome the things troubling you the most. Verses like these….
35 Calming Bible Verses About Overcoming Anger Issues
1. James 1:19-20
“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].”
2. Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].”
3. Proverbs 14:29
“He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], but he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].”
4. Psalms 103:8
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness.”
5. Ecclesiastes 7:9
“Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger dwells in the heart of fools.”
6. Proverbs 22:24-25
“Do not even associate with a man given to angry outbursts; or go [along] with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his [undisciplined] ways and get yourself trapped [in a situation from which it is hard to escape].”
7. Proverbs 16:32
“He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], and he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.”
8. Proverbs 19:11
“Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, and it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].”
9. Psalms 37:8
“Cease from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evil.
10. Ephesians 4:29-31
“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].
Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].”
11. Proverbs 29:11
“A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger, but a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.”
“A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger, but a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.” – Proverbs 29:11
12. Proverbs 29:22
“An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions.”
13. Proverbs 12:16
“The [arrogant] fool’s anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense], but a prudent man ignores an insult.”
14. Proverbs 15:1
“A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, but harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.”
15. Proverbs 14:17
“A quick-tempered man acts foolishly and without self-control, and a man of wicked schemes is hated.”
16. Leviticus 19:17-18
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you may most certainly rebuke your neighbor but shall not incur sin because of him. You shall not take revenge nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor (acquaintance, associate, companion) as yourself; I am the Lord.”
17. Proverbs 15:18
“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.”
18. Romans 12:19
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
19. 1st Timothy 2:8
“Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].”
20. Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21
21. Colossians 3:8
“But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.”
22. Matthew 5:22
“But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell.”
23. Psalms 86:15
“But You, O Lord, are a God [who protects and is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.”
24. 2nd Timothy 2:22
“Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
25. Jonah 4:4
“Then the Lord asked, “Do you have a good reason to be angry?”
26. Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
27. Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed, you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
28. Psalms 34:14
“Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
29. Ecclesiastes 10:4
“If the temper of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post [showing resistance], because composure and calmness prevent great offenses.”
30. Colossians 3:12-13
“So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; 13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.”
So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; 13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.” – Colossians 3:12-13
31. Proverbs 13:10
“Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife, but [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.”
32. Luke 6:35
“But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.”
33. Proverbs 12:18
“There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
34. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you.”
35. Proverbs 16:29
“A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin] and leads him in a way that is not good.”
Final Thoughts on 35 Calming Bible Verses About Overcoming Anger Issues
Being angry is not a bad thing. Biblically, it is the way that Christians should respond to evil and injustice. However, it should be expressed out of love and thoughtfulness – not bitterness, revenge, or hatred.
When expressed negatively, anger is like walking into your son's room and smelling old, worn gym socks and 3-day-old pizza hiding under a pile of clothes. The smell hits you out of nowhere and can be challenging to process.
First, scripture tells us to be “slow to anger” in James 1:19-20. In other words, we need self-control. When anger sits long enough and isn't correctly managed, it becomes resentment.
Then, it leads to many unrighteous acts of rage, violence, and confusion. So, we should think before we react, valuing our relationships with God and others.
Second, we should change the narrative and focus on what makes us happy rather than meditating on what makes us angry. Enjoy some fresh air, go on a brisk walk, pray, listen to music, or get some rest before reacting. This allows us to cool down when overcome with anger.
My Pastor always says, “You can't keep a bird from flying over your head (receiving angry thoughts), but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair (letting anger build into a temper tantrum).”
Lastly, get help. Talk to a close friend, spiritual advisor, or specialist. God works through all those people as well.
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 33 Bible Verses About Stress and Worry
- 33 Comforting Bible Verses About Grief & Sadness
- 37 Bible Verses About Perseverance Through Hard Times
