Controlling Anger: Fueling Passion for God’s Mission

Anger.

It’s a powerful emotion that many of us wrestle with daily. Defined as a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility, it’s often sparked by a perceived wrong or injustice. If you’re like me, you’ve felt it deeply — maybe more often than you’d like. For me, anger isn’t just a fleeting emotion; it’s something that simmers below the surface, waiting to rise whenever I witness even the smallest injustice.

Whether it’s someone being dismissed in a conversation, an idea being ignored, or a broken commitment, my inner self boils. It’s like a fire that keeps burning, and for a long time, I didn’t know what to do with it. But here’s the thing — I’ve learned that anger can be both good and bad. It has the potential to destroy, but if channeled correctly, it can also build, inspire, and drive us toward a greater purpose.

I believe a lot of my anger stems from the injustices I’ve witnessed in the “Christian” community since childhood. I’ve seen things no one should have to experience, and they happened at the hands of those who were called to shepherd the flock, protect, and lead others into the love of Jesus. Leaders, meant to care for their people, sometimes became the very source of pain.

On the flip side, I’ve also seen great leaders torn apart by the very people God called them to lead. Both experiences — whether caused by those in power or those in the pews — rooted my anger deeply in a desire for justice. I’ve witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly within the church. In many cases, those injustices were driven by jealousy, insecurities, power struggles, and a lack of humility.

So, yeah, my anger has its roots in deep personal experiences. But over time, I’ve come to believe that there’s something more to this emotion than just frustration — it’s what I like to call “Holy Anger.” This type of anger can be a righteous force, a driving energy that compels us to act when we see the brokenness of the world, especially in the body of Christ.

Holy Anger: Fuel for God’s Mission

This “Holy Anger” is what keeps me moving forward despite the frustrations and injustices I encounter. It reminds me that I’m called to be a liberator, to lead people to Jesus Christ, who offers freedom and transformation. Anger can actually serve as a motivator when it’s directed by God’s Spirit, not our flesh.

But let’s be real: anger is often labeled as unacceptable. People tell us to suppress it, to hide it away. And while uncontrolled anger is dangerous, I’d ask this — why would God allow us to feel anger if He didn’t have a purpose for it?

In Ephesians 4:26 (NLT), Paul says, “And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.” This verse teaches us that anger itself isn’t the problem — it’s what we do with that anger that defines us. Anger doesn’t have to control us. Instead, we can control it and use it to fuel our passion for seeing God’s love spread throughout the world.

The Dangers of Unchecked Anger

We can learn a lot from the story of King Saul. Saul’s anger, jealousy, and insecurities grew after hearing the people of Israel singing, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:7 NLT). This comparison stung Saul and made him very angry. Instead of dealing with that anger in a healthy way, it festered. Eventually, Saul became so consumed by it that he sought to kill David, an innocent man.

His anger didn’t stop there. It escalated to the point where Saul killed priests, women, children, and even animals in a mad rage. He had lost control of his anger, and it led to devastation. A man who once had the Spirit of the Lord upon him now caused destruction because of unresolved anger.

Unchecked anger can have serious consequences — not just for us, but for those around us. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to channel it in a way that brings life, not death.

How to Control Anger in Healthy Ways

So how do we control our anger in healthy ways? How do we turn it into a force that drives us to see justice, freedom, and restoration in the body of Christ? Here are four practical and biblical steps to take:

1. Pause and Pray

When anger begins to rise within us, it’s essential to pause. Instead of immediately reacting, take a step back and pray. Ask God to help you process your feelings and give you wisdom on how to respond.

Ephesians 4:26 says, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you.”

Taking that moment to pause and pray can help keep your anger in check and allow God to speak into the situation.

2. Use Your Voice to Advocate for Justice

Let your anger motivate you to stand up for justice and mercy.

Proverbs 31:8–9 (NLT) encourages us to, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”

If you’re passionate about a cause, get involved. Let your anger be the fire that fuels your passion to advocate for justice in a way that reflects God’s heart for His people.

3. Pursue God’s Mission More Boldly

Righteous anger can fuel our commitment to God’s mission. Jesus Himself was angry at the brokenness in the world, but His response was to love sacrificially. Let your anger push you to be bold in spreading the love of Jesus to those around you. Whether through acts of service, sharing the Gospel, or fighting for justice, use your anger as motivation to make the world better.

4. Embrace the Fruit of the Spirit — Especially Self-Control

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) reminds us that,

“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Self-control is essential when it comes to managing anger. When you feel your emotions bubbling up, remind yourself of the fruit of the Spirit. Include this verse in your prayers and use it as a guide to navigate those challenging moments.

Let Anger Fuel God’s Mission

Anger doesn’t have to be destructive. When controlled in healthy ways, it can fuel our passion and purpose to spread the love and freedom of Jesus to every corner of the world. Rather than letting anger control us, we can let the Holy Spirit guide us to use it for God’s glory.

So the next time you feel anger rising within you, don’t push it away. Instead, pause, pray, and ask God how He wants you to channel that emotion for His Kingdom. You’ll be amazed at how He can turn even anger into a powerful tool for good.

Questions for Reflection:

• How do you usually respond when you feel angry?

• Are there injustices in the world or in your community that fuel a “Holy Anger” in you?

• How can you use your anger to bring about positive change in the church and the world around you?

Let’s not be a people controlled by anger, but a people who control it and use it to glorify God!