Anger Management, Christian Style: How to Deal with People Who Push Our Buttons

Good morning, church! Today, we’re talking about something that’s as universal as bad Wi-Fi—anger. Let’s face it, we've all been there. You’re cruising down the road, minding your own business, and someone cuts you off, or worse, someone at the grocery store takes the last bag of chips. Suddenly, it feels like your blood pressure is higher than a Jamaican Reggae festival. Your inner Hulk is ready to break loose, but before we go full-on rampage, let’s see what Jesus has to say about managing that fire inside.

Jesus’ Advice: Turn the Other Cheek (Yes, Really)

In Matthew 5:39, Jesus says,

"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."

Now, before you think, “Oh great, does this mean I have to just sit there and take it when someone’s rude?” Let’s unpack this. Jesus isn’t telling you to be a doormat. He’s teaching us about humility and peace in the face of offense. Think about it—when someone pushes your buttons, how satisfying is it to hold your ground, be calm, and just... let it slide? Not easy, right? But it's powerful!

Here’s the thing: the next time someone ticks you off, you can either go Hulk or go Jesus. And trust me, Jesus has a way of disarming people. When you refuse to get sucked into their drama, it makes them think, “Wait... what just happened?”

Don’t Let Anger Fester Like Leftover Pizza

In Ephesians 4:26-27, Paul gives us some words of wisdom:

"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."

Translation: Deal with it before you sleep on it. Anger is like that leftover pizza in the fridge.

If you don’t deal with it soon, it gets cold, soggy, and just not something you want to deal with anymore. You ever put off dealing with your emotions, then the next day you’re mad at the world over something small, like your socks not matching? Yeah, that’s what happens when anger hangs around too long. It starts to grow, and before you know it, you’re having a meltdown over something ridiculous.

And here's the kicker—not dealing with your anger gives the devil a foothold. That means, when you hold onto bitterness, it opens a door for negativity and evil to start creeping in. It's like leaving your door unlocked for the bad guys—don’t do it!

Pray for People Who Push Your Buttons (Yes, Really)

This next one is tough. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says,

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Wait, what? Pray for the person who cut you off in traffic? Pray for the guy who stole your lunch from the fridge at work? Yes.

When someone annoys you, instead of imagining them trapped in a never-ending loop of bad hair days, how about praying for them? “God, bless that person. May they find peace, and may they never lose their keys again.”

Now, you might be thinking, “But God, I don’t want to pray for them; I want to pray for revenge!” But hear me out—praying for those who annoy you disarms your anger and gives you the power to stop the cycle of irritation. Plus, you might just be surprised at how much peace it brings to your own heart. It’s like drinking a nice glass of water in the middle of a desert of rage.

Kindness Is the Ultimate Weapon

In Romans 12:20-21, Paul gives us some ninja-level advice:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Here’s the secret weapon: Kindness. When someone is nasty to you or annoys you, respond with kindness. It’s like showing up to a food fight with a cake. It confuses the heck out of people! When you choose kindness over retaliation, you win—and they might even start feeling guilty. You’ll heap burning coals on their head, which is another way of saying, "You’ll make them feel bad for being rude!" (And no, not literally burn their hair off. That’s not the Christian way.)

Jesus Got Angry, Too—But for the Right Reasons

Here’s the kicker: Jesus got angry. In John 2:15, Jesus flipped some tables in the temple because people were turning it into a marketplace. It says,

"So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables."

Jesus wasn’t angry because someone cut Him off in traffic. He wasn’t mad because someone ate the last slice of pizza. Jesus was righteously angry because people were disrespecting God’s house. That’s the kind of anger we should have: anger against injustice and sin, not anger over personal slights. Jesus' anger was aligned with God's will—it wasn’t selfish, petty, or aimed at people for the wrong reasons.

So, if you’re going to get angry, make sure it’s for the right reasons. Don’t get mad because someone ate the last brownie; get mad when you see injustice or sin taking place.

Self-Control: The Ultimate Superpower

Now, here’s the real key to overcoming anger: Self-control. The Holy Spirit gives us this fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that self-control is part of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. This means that when we feel anger bubbling up, we can take a pause and ask God for help.

Instead of letting your emotions dictate your actions, let the Spirit help you choose peace. It’s like having a personal coach in your ear saying, “Chill out, take a breath, and go with the godly response.” Trust me, that’s a much better way to deal with anger than blowing up and regretting it later.

Conclusion: Let’s Be Different

To wrap it up, let’s remember this: Anger doesn’t have to control us. As Christians, we are called to handle it differently. Instead of lashing out, we choose peace, kindness, and self-control. The next time someone pushes your buttons, think before you react. Turn the other cheek, pray for them, and maybe offer them a coffee or a compliment instead of a confrontation. You’ll be amazed at how much more powerful that is than throwing a temper tantrum.

So, let's not be like everyone else who just blows their stack at the smallest thing. Let's be different. Let’s show the world what it looks like to respond to anger with love and grace.

Let’s pray.

Dear God, thank You for showing us how to handle anger with grace and peace. Help us to respond to frustration with kindness and love, just like You did. May we be a reflection of Your calm and self-control in a world that’s quick to rage. In Jesus' name, Amen.

And remember: Don't let anyone push your buttons—you've got the remote control, and it's in God’s hands!