We all deal with anger at times. Are we justified? Are we following God's guidance on the matter? If our anger doesn't fit into the list mentioned in Philippians 4:8 then our anger is not honoring God, it is sinful and is not righteous or justified. Even when we are under provocation we must continue to think "true thoughts" meaning, what we are upset over should be total truth without being half truth, twisted, stretched or exaggerated. The thoughts we have behind our anger and the way we react and share it should be "honest, just, pure and good thoughts."

Often because of our human nature our anger makes us want to lash out, respond unkindly and even want revenge. We are not thinking pure, honest and good thoughts then are we? I am willing to say that most likely our actions that would follow would also not be righteous. So if we have problems with anger it is something we should pray about and ask God to take from us. We should use scripture to help us understand better how to manage anger and ways to cope with situations to avoid anger. Below are several scriptures that God has given us to help in this area. Let us pray that they will be helpful to someone today. 

Psalms 37:8 “Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated — it can only bring harm.

Psalms 86:15 “But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth.”

Proverbs 14:29 “A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.”

Proverbs 22:24-25 “Don’t make friends with an angry man, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”

Matthew 5:22 “But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool!’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron!’ will be subject to hellfire.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.”

Ephesians 4:25-31 “Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption. All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.”

Colossians 3:8 “But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.”

James 1:19-20 “My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”

2 Peter 1:2 “May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”