my wife and I are seperated for now, beacuse I have a anger, controlling, and jealousy problem. I want to pray for my wife to forgive me and let me come back home. I want to pray that I make it through these angermangment classes and Pray for myself to get a better job that pays well so I can provide for my family.

lilman,

Paul writes about the stages of anger in Galations 3:8, telling us, "But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth."

These things we are putting off are listed in sequence of severity, meaning that one leads to the next. First we are angry, then we attain a level of wrath, which is violent anger or anger turned into action, and then we reach malice.

Malice is the deliberate planning to harm another. We have gotten so angry we think of ways to retaliate against someone for perceived wrongs.

Blasphemy is a direct and profane mocking of God and usually includes filthy language. Screaming and cursing at God or Christ with great contempt.

The reason Paul points these out is so we can put them off. How do we do that?

II Cor. 10:5 reads, "-bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ."

Anger starts in our mind. We think of something that makes us angry and we begin to develop imaginary scenarios of payback. The anger builds and will consume us to wrath if we let it.

Here is your action part. When you see that anger building in your mind, take it into captivity through the power of Christ. Cast it out of your mind. Think of something else.

This will be hard at first. Angry thoughts will immediately come back. Keep casting them out.

Here are two other things to watch for; idleness and submission.

If you have too much free time you will daydream and if you can't submit yourself to leaders, even if they are inept, you will find anger harder to control.

We will pray for you and your family to be together as God has ordained.