This is a topic that may make some of you very upset by the time you finish reading. If you are easily offended I suggest you stop reading right now. Keep in mind though that if this message applies to you then you have come to the right place. You can be free from anger! From reading this verse I would assume that its okay to be angry. It is okay to be angry, so don't feel so bad. The problem is that we shouldn't allow ourselves to be controlled by anger. Anger is an emotional response that can escalate beyond our capacity to control it. Anger is a choice. We can choose to be angry and we can choose not to be angry. Once the anger reaches its climax though, its what we do with it afterwards that transforms it into something else. Then it can become sin. Have you ever gotten so angry that you lost control and then couldn't remember what you were angry about? Have you ever been so angry with someone that you stayed up all night trying to figure out how to get even? Sometimes its better to approach the person that offended us and confess that we were angry and give a good reason why. A lot of times we will find out that there was simply a misunderstanding and if we don't communicate that we were offended, the other person may not even know that they offended us. Sometimes we are just having a bad day and anything anyone says doesn't sound right. We can just be cranky from being tired and stressed out. There can be any number of reasons for being angry, but if we are the children of God then we should be the ambassadors of peace. Sometimes we have to be the ones to admit that we were wrong. Why destroy good friendships over some trifling matters? Some of the best friendships and relationships with family members have been destroyed over money. There are family members that haven't spoken to each other for years.

Sometimes we say things out of anger that can wound and maim the person that is the object of our wrath. Of course we've had our feelings hurt and anger is sometimes a defense mechanism that kicks in automatically to protect our feelings. We may not intend to cause harm to another individual, but many of us are not emotionally mature enough yet so we lash out at each other like little children do. Our tongues can become like weapons much like swords that cut and stab and slash away at our offenders. The words are intended to cause pain and to destroy. Sometimes we can lash out physically to the extent of causing serious injury and even death. This is all a part of the old sin nature. If we claim that we are saved and that we have been born again we have to lay aside the evil works of darkness because now we are children of light. Our words should reflect the life of Christ within us. We should speak good words that build up and edify. This way we minister grace. We give by grace what by grace we have received.

We can get angry to the extent that we can become bitter and resentful long after the incident that caused the initial anger in the first place. Holding a grudge doesn't hurt the other person. It eats us up on the inside and consumes us. Some people have been bitter for years and years. Even after they accept Christ they can't live in victory because they can't let go of all the anger and hatred and bitterness. Whatever someone did to offend you was wrong. There is no denying that. That was their fault and not yours. What you did to yourself afterwards was your own fault. Harboring evil towards others and an unwillingness to forgive will destroy you if it hasn't already. It can cause any number of physical, mental, and emotional ailments. It defiles everyone around you and everything you touch because you drag them all into your bitterness. Even when good things come your way you can't enjoy them. You can waste a lot of time bickering and complaining and shifting blame on others. This is not living. This is a prolonged torture that you inflict on yourself to the extent where there is no life. Your heart can become so hard to where the hammer of God's word has to break that rock in your chest. Bitterness resists change because we feel that this is all we have ever known. I'm not talking to everyone that is reading this but if you feel uncomfortable you know who you are. Let it go. Let go and let God have His way.

There are people in hell right now for a lot less anger than you have right now. I understand there may have been some molestation or sexual abuse. There may have been any number of things that were not your fault. God can forgive you, but if you still have a lot of bitterness and resentment and you think you are forgiven then you need to wake up out of that dream. Forgiveness is not conditional. It is mandatory. You can let go but the flesh wants to hold on to the anger.

Forgiveness is a force. Forgiveness releases the power of God, but unforgiveness releases the power of Satan. If you wonder why you can't seem to grow spiritually and you keep struggling with temptation and sin its because Satan has power over you. You have something that belongs to him and he can come and go as he pleases, and there is nothing you can do about it. You can fast and pray and read the bible cover to cover but God has to remain true to His word. Let it go already. What are you going to do with it anyway? The devil is lying to you if he is telling you not to let it go. You are being torn between two forces. Greater is He that is within you than he that is in your anger. You want to be free once and for all? Do trilateral forgiveness. Be specific about what you are asking forgiveness for, if possible give reasons for being angry but don't keep it inside. Name the person or persons that offended you, but ask God to forgive you first. Then forgive the person or persons that offended you. Name the offenses and you can even mention how what they did made you feel. Then allow the forgiveness to come and remove the bitterness. Release the anger. Give it to Jesus. Then ask God to forgive your offenders. if you feel comfortable enough speak blessing over their lives. I guarantee you 100% that if you do this you will feel so light you might float away. There may be a lot of things to forgive but this is a process you can do over time. Ask the Holy Ghost to reveal any unforgiveness in your life. Then do something about it. God loves you so much and He doesn't want to see you suffer. God has to abide by His word and we must reap what we sow. Don't blame God for the mess you made of yourself, or for allowing things to happen to you. God is sovereign, but He alone knows the purpose He has in mind for you. You may not understand why now. You will eventually and it will change your life.