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Anger. You feel it, sometimes intensely. Maybe it comes when you've been mistreated or threatened. Sometimes it boils up and pours out with hurtful words or harmful actions. So how do you handle anger in ways that are healthy and not harmful? Check out what three students learned from God's Word.

Do you ever get so mad at someone you just have to yell at 'em? Me too.

Sometimes, when someone really makes me angry, I go beyond yelling. I swear and tell that person exactly what I think of them.

You'd think it would make me feel better to get all that rage out. But it doesn't. I feel guilty for not controlling my temper, or for hurting the person's feelings, or for doing something I know I shouldn't have done.

Even though I know swearing and yelling at other people is wrong, I think the part I really need to work on is controlling my anger in the first place. God can help me do that.

Instead of getting angry about things I really can't change, I can ask God to change me. I know God can help me be a calmer person. And when I'm not so angry, I probably won't swear as much. —Chris

1) What things really make you angry?

2) Think of three things you can do to calm yourself down when you're angry.

3) Pray that God will show you when your anger is a result of selfishness. Ask him to help you love others and put them before yourself.

When some guys from school smashed my car window and stole my guitar, CD player and all my CDs, fighting back was exactly what I wanted to do. My friends even told me to find those guys and beat them up. It sure seemed like they deserved it!

In chapter 24 of 1 Samuel, I know David must have been tempted to get Saul back for his evil deeds. After all, Saul had gathered 3,000 men to hunt David down—and this wasn't the first time he had tried to kill David. But David knew God wanted him to forgive Saul, and that's exactly what he did.

I was really angry when those guys at school trashed my car and took my things. But I didn't try to beat them up. I even promised not to press charges as long as they returned my stuff. It's up to God—not us—to do what he wants with people who do evil. Our job is to forgive. —Chip

2) Is there someone you need to forgive? Even if that person hasn't apologized to you, offer him or her your forgiveness as soon as you can.

3) Ask God to help you forgive people in the same way he has forgiven you.

This story is kind of confusing. It looks like Jesus lost his temper and went ballistic all of a sudden. I mean, if I did that, I'd get in big trouble! The difference here is that Jesus was angry for a good reason. The people he chased out of the temple were messing with God and turning a holy place into a very unholy place. No wonder Jesus got so mad!

There are some things in life worth getting mad about, like abuse and murder and people who say terrible things about God. But there are lots of things that aren't worth getting mad about, like your brother sneaking into your room or your parents asking you to do something you don't want to do. The key is asking yourself, "Would Jesus get mad about this?" If he would, ask him how you should respond. But if he wouldn't, ask him to help you get over it before you do something you'll regret. —Heidi

2) Make a list of things that make you angry, then look at each one carefully and ask, "Is this really worth getting upset about? What should I do the next time I'm feeling angry about this?"

3) Ask God to help you decide what's a big deal and what isn't.

Hebrews 12:15
     remember God's grace

Galatians 5:16-18
     trust in the Holy Spirit

James 1:19-20
     be slow to anger

Ephesians 4:26-27
     don't stay angry

Leviticus 19:18
     don't hold a grudge

Mark 11:25, Colossians 3:13
     forgive those who hurt you

Matthew 5:43-44
     pray for your enemies

Romans 12:19-20
     leave judgment to God

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
     learn to love

1) What does this passage tell you about dealing with anger?

2) What are three questions you have about this passage? Write down your own answers, then ask a Christian friend or your youth leader how they would answer. Write down their answers, too.

3) Ask God to help you to view others as he does so that you can respond to them in love rather than anger.

4) Using the devotions in "Faith Builders" as a model, write your own devotion based on the passage.

The devotions in this section were taken from The NIV Teen Devotional Bible (Zondervan). Featuring 260 devotions written by students, this Bible also offers help for personal and spiritual growth. Find out more about this Bible at http://CampusLife.net/.

Read more from 'Devotionals'

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