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When I was younger I used to get angry easily.  Things were go wrong, people didn’t act the way I wished they would, or somebody’s words would rub me the wrong way and I would lose my temper.  It would fill up my head and spill out, usually as what my mother called a temper tantrum, but as I got older I would say things that hurt other people before I even realized I was angry.

But as i got older I started to realize that truth be told, I was usually angry because I couldn’t have my own way.  I didn’t have the strength to deal with all the negative things that were happening to me so I let my anger fight my battles for me.

Having a relationship with God has helped me understand my early years – my anger and my inability to deal with my environment.  Prayer helps me still the frustrations.  Faith helps me understand that whatever is happening to me will pass if I can just wait it out.  The Holy Ghost helps calm my soul, helps me breath when fear paralyzes me, helps me feel at peace when turmoil surrounds me.  And the scriptures hold God’s answers to the questions that leaden my heart.

Nehemiah 9:17

A God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Psalm 145:8

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

Psalm 30:5

For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

James 1:19-20

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Be not hasty in thy Spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Proverbs 14:17

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.

Proverbs 15:18

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 29:22

An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Proverbs 22:24-25

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Psalm 37:8

Cease from anger and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Proverbs 16:32

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Colossians 3:21

Fathers, Provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Ephesians 4:26

Be ye angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

Proverbs 19:11

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is His glory to pass over a transgression.

Proverbs 21:19

It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Matthew 5:22

But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement.