Don't Stay Angry
4 Biblical Steps to Letting Go and Moving Forward
Today I want to talk to you about something that affects all of us—anger. Whether you’re leading a team, running a business, or just navigating life, you’ve encountered situations that make you frustrated, hurt, or even bitter. But here’s the key: don’t stay angry.
We live in a time where anger is everywhere. Road rage, social media feuds, workplace conflicts—people seem angrier than ever. Maybe you’re dealing with it right now. Maybe a business deal fell through, a close friend betrayed you, or your family situation is testing your patience. Maybe you’re even angry at God, wondering, “Why me?”
Whatever it is, I want to encourage you today—don’t stay angry. Let’s go straight to the Word of God. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, "If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly." That’s powerful advice!
What Happens When We Hold Onto Anger?
When we hold onto anger, it grows. It turns into bitterness, grudges, and broken relationships. It can even impact our health, steal our joy, and hinder our success. The Bible warns us: "For when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27) That means anger left unchecked opens the door for negativity to take root in our lives.
So how do we deal with it? Let me give you four practical steps:
Don’t Nurse It – Stop replaying the situation in your mind. When you dwell on anger, it only gets bigger. Refuse to feed it with negative thoughts.
Don’t Rehearse It – Stop talking about it over and over. If you keep bringing up past hurts, you’ll stay stuck in the past. You can’t move forward while looking backward.
Don’t Disperse It – Don’t vent your anger on social media or gossip about it. Spreading negativity only makes things worse. Revenge never works out in your favor.
Let God Reverse It – Trust God to turn the situation around. Isaiah 61:3 promises that He will give us "beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for the spirit of heaviness." That means God can take your pain and use it for something good.
Your Attitude Shapes Your FutureA
A study found that those who succeed in business and leadership aren’t just hired based on skill or appearance:
5% due to availability
5% due to adaptability
10% due to ability
10% due to appearance
70% due to attitude!
Think about that. Most people lose their jobs not because of lack of skill, but because of a poor attitude. Your attitude affects everything—your leadership, your relationships, and your ability to influence others.
Four Takeaways to Overcome Anger
Recognize It – Acknowledge that holding onto anger is your problem to solve. If you don’t take responsibility, you’ll never find freedom from it.
Repent – Ask God to forgive you for harboring resentment. Choose to let it go.
Receive the Gift of Forgiveness – When you forgive, God gives you the power to forget. People may remind you of past hurts, but when you’ve truly forgiven, those wounds no longer define you.
Renew Your Mind – Change the way you think, and you’ll change the way you respond to life. Meditate on God’s Word instead of your frustrations.
Final Thoughts
I hope this message helps you today. If you’ve been holding onto anger, make a decision right now—let it go. Trust God to work things out. If this has encouraged you, share it with someone who needs it. And remember, God is for you!