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 According to the American Psychological Association (APA), emotion is defined as “a complex reaction pattern, involving experiential, behavioral and physiological elements.  Emotions are how individuals deal with matters or situations they find personally significant.”   Why do you think people feel and/or express intense emotions/anger for what seems like the tiniest situations?  For example, think of people who spill hot coffee and then scream at the people around them; or people who get cut off in traffic and flip someone off.    
     God in His infinite wisdom knows the destruction that comes from misplaced emotions, especially anger.  Out of anger, Moses killed an Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-12).  Some would argue that Moses had every right to kill the Egyptian.   After all, the Egyptian was the oppressor.   Could Moses have handled the situation differently?   Perhaps the answer is yes, but we will never know.  The question is do you think Moses was justified in how he expressed his anger?  And more importantly how do you handle anger and/or frustration?   How do you respond when you are offended?  How do you resolve conflict?  Do you explode, shut people out, yell, name call, use profanity, or engage in physical violence?  
     We’ve all heard anger is one letter short of danger.   But anger is one of the universal expressions of emotions along with fear, sadness and happiness.   Therefore, experiencing anger is a “normal” part of life, and there is such a thing as righteous anger.  However, anger, when expressed uncontrollably or misdirected, can be considered dangerous and can cause all kinds of unnecessary problems.  The Bible says, “Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).   Notice the scripture says, “be angry”, and be means to occur or take place.   God knew we would become angry; therefore, through the word, He strategically instructed us not to sin when we are angry.       
     For a lot of us, the root cause of anger is our desire to control other people, the environment, and situations beyond our control.  Most of the time we are angry because we do not agree with what has happened to us and/or we don’t like it when things don’t go our way.  Therefore, in our effort to try to control the situation or the outcome, we attempt to force our beliefs, thoughts, will, and/or power over others.  With strained family dynamics, divorce, uncertainty, chaos, crime, job loss and disappointment going on today, I believe misplaced and misdirected anger is a contributing factor.  Sure, there is a spiritual war going on.   Sometimes the war is with the “inner me” and not the enemy.   
     Many believers are taught to suppress their emotions instead of learning how to properly manage/express them.  If you think being a believer makes you devoid of experiencing emotions, you are sadly mistaken.   However, it is important to find healthy ways to help manage/express anger such as keeping a journal, getting plenty of rest, connecting with a therapist, exercising, and eating a balanced meal.   All of these can be done in addition to prayer.  The bible says, “In the same way, faith (prayer) all by itself is dead” (James 2:17).  Therefore, learning to do the “work” in addition to prayer could help reduce the negative anger expressions that we have become accustomed to.   Negative anger expressions are destroying friendships, families, communities and the world.