Scripture References for Managing Anger and Frustration
The Bible addresses anger and frustration extensively, offering guidance on managing these emotions. A key passage, Psalm 37:8, advises, "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing" [1]. This verse suggests that giving in to anger can lead to sinful actions [2, 8]. Similarly, Proverbs 29:22 states that "An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin" [3].
While anger is often presented as something to be avoided, some biblical texts acknowledge its presence and even its potential for righteous expression. For instance, Ephesians 4:26 instructs, "Be ye angry, and sin not" [10]. This passage, echoing Psalm 4:4, implies that anger itself is not inherently sinful, but rather the way it is expressed or allowed to control an individual can lead to sin [10, 11]. Christ's own "anger" (Mark 3:5) is cited as an example of anger without sin, directed at dishonor to God or wrong done to man [10]. The distinction lies in preventing anger from corrupting one's character [8].
The book of Proverbs frequently links anger with foolishness and negative consequences. It describes anger as a characteristic of fools (Proverbs 12:16; 14:29; 27:3; Ecclesiastes 7:9) and connects it to pride (Proverbs 21:24), cruelty (Genesis 49:7; Proverbs 27:3,4), clamor (Ephesians 4:31), malice (Colossians 3:8), and strife (Proverbs 21:19; 29:22; 30:33) [2]. Controlling one's anger is presented as a sign of wisdom [6].
The antidote to irritability and envy is trust in the Lord, which involves cultivating devotion to wisdom [7]. The Bible encourages resignation and submission to God's will in various difficult circumstances, including the prospect of death, loss, chastisement, and bodily suffering [5]. This includes the idea of not fretting, which is linked to trusting in the Lord [4, 5]. God's own anger is described as the carrying out of His judgment against evil, but believers are destined for salvation, not wrath [9].
Sources
- Psalms “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing. -- Psalms 37:8”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger — Forbidden -- Ec 7:9; Mt 5:22; Ro 12:19. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. A characteristic of fools -- Pr 12:16; 14:29; 27:3; Ec 7:9. Connected with Pride. -- Pr 21:24. Cruelty. -- Ge 49:7; Pr 27:3,4. Clamour and evil-speaking. -- Eph 4:31. Malice and blasphemy. -- Col 3:8. Strife and contention. -- Pr 21:19; 29:22; 30:33. Brings its own punishment -- Job 5:2; Pr 19:19; 25:28. Grievous words stir up -- Jdj 12:4; 2Sa 19:43; Pr 15:1. Should not betray us into sin -- Ps 37:8; Eph 4:26. In prayer be free from -- 1Ti 2:8. May be averted by wisdom -- Pr 29:8. Meeknes”
- Proverbs “An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin. -- Proverbs 29:22”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “2 Kings 6:33 cross-references: Genesis 4:13, Exodus 16:6, 1 Samuel 28:6, 1 Samuel 31:4, 2 Kings 3:10, Job 1:11, Job 1:21, Job 2:5, Job 2:9, Job 15:13, Psalms 27:14, Psalms 37:7, Psalms 37:9, Psalms 62:5, Proverbs 19:3, Isaiah 8:17, Isaiah 8:21, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 50:10, Jeremiah 2:25, Lamentations 3:25, Lamentations 3:37, Lamentations 3:39, Ezekiel 33:10, Amos 3:6, Habakkuk 2:3, Matthew 27:4, Luke 18:1, 2 Corinthians 2:7, 2 Corinthians 2:11, Revelation 16:9”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:18: 15:18 Controlling one’s anger is a sign of wisdom (see also Jas 1:19-20).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 37:3: 37:3-4 The antidote to irritability and envy (37:1) is trust in the Lord. 37:3 To do good means cultivating a devotion to wisdom (see 34:14; Prov 3:5-7).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 37:8: 37:8 Irritability and anger quickly corrode character.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 5:9: 5:9 God’s anger (1:10; 2:16; Rom 5:9; cp. 2 Thes 1:6-10; 2:8) represents the carrying out of his judgment against evil. However, God destined believers for salvation, not wrath (2 Thes 2:13-14), and they will escape the terrors of the day of the Lord (1 Thes 5:1-3).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:26: Be ye angry, and sin not--So the Septuagint, Psa 4:4. Should circumstances arise to call for anger on your part, let it be as Christ's "anger" (Mar 3:5), without sin. Our natural feelings are not wrong when directed to their legitimate object, and when not exceeding due bounds. As in the future literal, so in the present spiritual, resurrection, no essential constituent is annihilated, but all that is a perversion of the original design is removed. Thus indignation at dishonor done to God, and wrong to man, is justifiable anger. Passion is sinful (d”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 4:4: 4:4 Angry feelings are not sinful, but letting anger control you leads to sin (see 37:7-8; cp. Eph 4:26-27, 31-32). • Instead of acting on their emotions, the godly think about their circumstances overnight. They might be disturbed as they sleep, but silence opens their hearts to trust in the Lord (Ps 4:5).”