Want victory over your bad temper?
I have a really bad temper, and I know that God doesn’t like it. What can I do to keep my anger under control?
You’re on the right track. Recognizing and admitting your weakness is a big step in learning to overcome it. Anger is not necessarily an easy struggle, but its a common one that’s probably why the Bible mentions it quite a few times. Ephesians 4:26 and Psalm 4:4 tell us In your anger, do not sin. That’s encouraging because God recognizes that anger is a human emotion were all gonna have. Its what we do with our anger that He wants us to watch out for. Here are some tips that might help you deal with your temper.
· Ask where your anger is coming from. What is it that makes you mad? Often, anger has deeper causes. Try to tackle anger at its root cause maybe with the help of a parent or youth pastor.
· Identify your trigger points. When do you most often get mad: at school, during a game, when you hang with certain friends? Recognizing situations that spark your fuse can make it easier to avoid or work through them.
· Use your Bible tools. Memorize Scripture verses on anger. Concentrate on them and say them to yourself when you feel your temperature rising. Besides the ones above, good examples include Ephesians 4:31, James 1:19-20, Proverbs 15:1 and Proverbs 29:8.
· Count to 10. You’ve probably heard it before, but get in the habit of pausing before firing a quick comeback or throwing a fist. The break lets you gather your thoughts and can be a good time to quote one of your useful verses.
· Create constructive alternatives. Physical activities like running or even throwing a ball against a wall can be helpful ways to let off steam. Its also a good idea to talk out your mad feelings with a trusted friend.
· Handle it head on. Just ignoring or burying your anger deep inside isn’t healthy; eventually it will come out as bitterness, depression or violence. That’s why Ephesians 4:26-27 says, Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
· Don’t get mad at being mad. Changing your attitudes and behaviors will be a learning process. When you come up short, seek forgiveness from God and the person you’ve wronged. Then keep going, learn from your mistakes and let God change you.