Anger makes us weak. Getting a grip on anger is a challenge for every human. Some are more prone than others, but it always sneaks up on us. People who rarely get angry can’t control their anger once something finally pushes them over the edge. People who struggle with anger are not alone—they are not a minority; the person who doesn’t struggle with anger just might be the only one on Earth and he is in great peril for not having learned to deal with it earlier.
Giving up anger for joy is one of the hallmarks of Christianity. Sadly, few Christians cash in on this hallmark of their own beliefs, making the “angry Christian” one of the most common oxymorons in the world.
Overcoming anger requires a recipe of owning responsibility for one’s own emotions, uncomfortable amounts of time in focused prayer to and worship of Jesus, filling one’s own thought life with ideas that support a Biblical framework, and, oddly enough, physical health. Diet, exercise, sleep, and environment all contribute to emotions. Even an approaching rain cloud drops barometric pressure, making people edgy. In East Asia, it is generally known that sugar, spice, and fried food contribute to pimples and an “angry/evil fire” in one’s spirit energy. They solve the problem by drinking water, but asparagus also helps, as do melons, guavas, pears, and various edible fruit blossoms.
While curing anger has its recipes, so does anger itself. An uncontrolled lustful thought life is one of the common culprits of anger. So are alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Some recent questions consider whether petroleum-based products and chemicals could also have an “angering” effect, such as coming in contact with gasoline, motor oil, or other chemicals, including dry erase marker ink, petroleum-based skin lotion, or bug spray. But, chemicals are always being researched and they certainly are no excuse.
Jesus paid everyone’s vindication price with his own life. So, discipline ought educate and deter, not “transfer due suffering” to supposedly “pay” for crimes. Any conflict, punishment, correction, or disagreement should be entirely empty of any wrath, venom, offense, or “thirst for blood”. If you can’t help it, get help as soon as you can.