Managing Anger: Three Practical Steps for Emotional Fitness from a Christian Perspective
Anger is a powerful emotion that, when left unchecked, can harm relationships, self-worth, and even our relationship with God. Yet, when managed correctly, anger can be a productive force that motivates us to address injustice, protect loved ones, and grow emotionally and spiritually. Maya Raichoora, an emotional fitness coach, emphasizes in her video the importance of emotional intelligence and its role in handling anger. Building on her approach, we will explore three practical steps to manage anger, supported by scripture and Christian psychology principles.
1. Identify and Acknowledge Your Emotions
Maya Raichoora suggests that emotional intelligence is the foundation of managing anger effectively. Emotional fitness begins with recognizing and naming your feelings. Anger is often a secondary emotion that masks deeper feelings like fear, frustration, or hurt. The Bible calls us to examine our hearts: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Acknowledging our emotions in light of this scripture allows us to be honest with God and ourselves, giving us a starting point for addressing what is beneath the anger.
Christian Psychology Tip: Acknowledge your anger without self-condemnation. Proverbs 14:29 teaches, “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” Slowing down and reflecting on your emotional triggers through journaling, prayer, or speaking with a counselor creates space for wisdom to work in your heart.
2. Pause and Reflect Before Responding
In the video, Maya highlights the importance of pausing when anger arises to give yourself a chance to respond, not react. This aligns with biblical teachings about being slow to anger. James 1:19-20 advises, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Pausing allows the Holy Spirit to intervene, helping you respond in a way that reflects love, patience, and self-control. Emotional fitness involves self-awareness, and Christian faith invites us to allow God’s Spirit to guide us through these moments.
Christian Psychology Tip: Practice deep breathing exercises, meditation on scripture, or momentarily stepping away from the situation to pray. These techniques help calm your body’s fight-or-flight response, helping you regain control of your emotions and allowing a thoughtful, measured response rather than a reaction born out of anger.
3. Channel Anger into Positive Action
Raichoora encourages turning negative emotions into positive actions. Anger can be a signal that something needs to change. This is an opportunity for Christians to channel their anger toward actions that align with God’s will. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” This passage encourages us to resolve our anger before it leads to sin or further destruction.
Instead of holding on to anger, we can use it to drive positive change—whether that’s having an honest conversation, setting healthy boundaries, or addressing injustice in a way that honors God. The Bible contains examples of righteous anger, such as when Jesus drove out the money changers from the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). His actions were born out of love for God’s house and a desire for purity, not from a desire for personal gain.
Christian Psychology Tip: Focus on problem-solving rather than blame. Whether you are angry at yourself, others, or external circumstances, seek God’s wisdom in bringing resolution and restoration. Instead of letting anger linger, ask yourself how God might want you to respond with love, truth, and grace.
Conclusion
Managing anger is challenging, but as Maya Raichoora points out, emotional fitness requires continuous effort and intentionality. Combining her wisdom with scripture, Christians can learn to transform their anger into a force for good. By identifying their emotions, pausing before responding, and channeling their anger into positive action, they can grow emotionally and spiritually, building stronger relationships with others and God.
At Impact Family Christian Counseling and Wellness Center, we are here to support you on this emotional fitness journey through a biblical lens. Contact us for counseling and wellness services rooted in God’s word, helping you live a life that reflects His peace, patience, and purpose.