How to Control Anger Before It Destroys Your Future

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city” King Solomon. Anger is destructive and is a destroyer of destinies. Many people have lost jobs, relationships, and opportunities, all because of anger. Also, some people are in prison houses, wasting their fruitful years simply because they did not control their anger. Anger is an emotion that must be controlled before it destroys your great future.

You need to understand that anger stems from selfishness, lack of wisdom and understanding. In Ecclesiastes 7:9, Solomon made it clear that anger rests in the bosom of fools. A man of wisdom and understanding will control his anger and overlook certain wrongs done to him. People get angry because they are considering themselves, how bad their pride or ego has been injured, how their time, energy or money was wasted, etc.

Does it mean you are never to be angry? I will say NO, because there is also time for you to be angry. For instance, you need to be angry enough when things are not working well to force yourself to take steps to change the situation. The question is what do you do when you are angry? Also how long does it linger? Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (KJV).

So, how do you control Anger before it destroys your future?

· Make a decision not to be easily angered.

When one of my mentors, David Oyedepo, learned that anger lies in the bosom of fools, he made a decision to forgive people even before they wrong him. This attitude will keep anger far from you no matter what people say or do to you.

· Don’t consider you first.

Sometimes, people don’t intentionally do things to make you angry. Be wise enough to take a breath and consider the scenario before acting. Through experience, I have learned that such short breaks diffuse the anger and allow you to think well and make the right decision.

· Make no friendship with a hot-tempered man.

Evil communication corrupts good manners. If you continue with such a person, you will learn his/her ways and snare your future. Proverbs 22:24-25.

Watch your words.

Words are powerful and are seeds that when declared will bring forth a harvest. Don’t confess how easily you get angry; instead say how difficult it is for you to get angry. Let the words - anger or angry - not be part of your usual vocabulary.

· Walk away.

This is not a sign of weakness but of strength and great wisdom. When you sense anger building up within you, you need to just walk away from the scene or person. That moment is not the right time to say or do anything. Anger stirs up strife and develops problems that could have been avoided.

· Ask for God’s help.

God crowns your effort to control anger with His own power. Many people have tried to control anger but failed because they didn’t ask for God’s help. Anger is a force that is out to destroy you, so you need a higher force to overcome it.

· Don’t be angry with yourself.

If in the process of learning to control your anger you miss it, don’t tear yourself apart. Every success story had failures to fight with on the way. So, learn from your mistake and be determined to overcome next time.

Anger is a snare that should not be played with or tolerated. Many success stories were cut short merely because of anger. Your future is bright, great and colorful. Nothing should be allowed to destroy it, especially anger.

How else can you control anger?