Anger Management
How to Use Your Fire Without Getting Burned
We are living in the Age of Rage.
It’s in traffic. It’s in politics. It’s in the comments section of every post. And yes… it’s even in the church.
But here’s the truth nobody wants to say out loud:
Anger is not the problem.
How you handle it is.
God gave you the emotion of anger for a reason.
And if you learn how to manage it instead of being managed by it—your anger could become your assignment.
Let’s break it down.
Anger Is Not the Enemy—Unmanaged Anger Is
The Bible doesn’t say, “Don’t be angry.”
It says:
“Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” —Ephesians 4:26–27
God Himself gets angry. So did Jesus.
The problem isn’t anger—it’s what you do with it.
Anger is a secondary emotion. That means it usually comes from something deeper—fear, pain, insecurity, rejection.
So when you see anger flaring up in your life, don’t just swat it down.
Ask: What’s underneath this?
You’ve Got a Storm Brewing—Which Kind Are You?
Here’s how people tend to deal with anger:
– Snowstorm – Cold, silent, emotionally shut down. You “ice out” the people around you.
– Tornado – Sudden, violent outbursts. You destroy everything in your path—then wonder what just happened.
– Thunderstorm – Dark, brooding, mad at the world. Always expecting something to go wrong.
– Hurricane – Slow buildup, sucking everyone and everything into your swirl until you explode.
– Lightning Bolt – You don’t say much… until you strike with words that scar.
Which one are you?
God Doesn’t Want You to Suppress Anger—He Wants You to Channel It
You’ve got to get this: Anger is a gift—when it’s in God’s hands.
When Jesus flipped the tables in the temple, He wasn’t throwing a tantrum.
He had righteous anger—the kind that confronts injustice, dishonor, and religious corruption.
Jesus took time to make a whip.
Why? Because even His anger had discipline.
If Jesus could be angry without sinning—so can you.
How to Know When Your Anger Is Sinful
You’ve crossed the line when:
– You’re trying to hurt, not heal
– You’re seeking revenge, not restoration
– You say things you regret and then justify it by saying “I was just mad”
Unchecked anger opens the door for the enemy.
And when you refuse to deal with it—it becomes bitterness, then rage, then sin.
When Anger Turns into Revenge—You’re in Dangerous Territory
Revenge feels good for a moment—but it will rot your soul.
It promises power, closure, and relief. But in the end, it delivers bondage.
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” —Romans 12:19
You don’t need to get even.
You need to get healed.
Let God fight your battles. He’s your Advocate. He sees what they did. He won’t let it slide.
Just ask David. He could’ve killed Saul twice—but he refused.
Because David understood something most of us forget:
You can win the fight and still lose your soul.
Use Your Anger to Fuel Change
There is such a thing as holy anger.
– Be angry at injustice
– Be angry when your marriage is falling apart and no one’s fighting for it
– Be angry when the enemy is attacking your family
– Be angry when apathy is killing your calling
Let your anger push you into action.
Not against people—but against the enemy.
What Can You Do Starting Today?
Here’s how to start managing anger God’s way:
Stop and Think – Proverbs 13:16 says wise people think before they act.
Pray for Yourself – “God, change me.” Stop asking Him to change everyone else.
Pray for Your Enemies – Yes, the one who betrayed you. Jesus said do it.
Release Revenge – That person may never apologize, but you don’t need it to be free.
Laugh Again – Most of the things we’re mad about are just… dumb.
Rest – You weren’t created to carry stress nonstop.
Talk to Your Advocate – Jesus is your lawyer. Let Him plead your case.
The Trap Is Set—Will You Take the Bait?
Revenge is like peanut butter on a rat trap. It smells good. It tastes good.
But it’s a setup.
Don’t take the bait.
Let the world stay mad.
You walk in peace.
Let them strike back.
You pray forward.
Let them gossip.
You grow.
Let them curse.
You heal.
Because when you master your anger, you unlock your authority.
Larry Ragland
© Larry Ragland Ministries
