Biblical Answer

The Cycle of Anger: Understanding and Breaking Free

When we've already forgiven someone but anger returns, it's essential to recognize that this anger can lead to a cycle of bitterness and resentment. The Bible warns us that failure to release the wrong someone has done against us can imprison us in our own anger (Ps 32:2-4). This is not a matter of simply stopping our anger, but rather of turning to God and seeking His forgiveness and guidance. We must understand that anger indicates a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.

Prayer and Trust: Breaking the Cycle of Anger

In this situation, prayer becomes a crucial aspect of breaking the cycle of anger. By meditating on the Lord's Prayer and making it our own, we demonstrate our commitment to putting up a good fight against lingering anger. However, this is not just about stopping our anger; it's also about trusting God's goodness and sovereignty. When we identify anger in our lives, we must recognize that it's a sign of our lack of trust in God. Therefore, we must choose to trust God, even when we don't feel like it. This trust is not based on our emotions but on God's character and promises.

Forgiveness as a Process: Overcoming Bitterness

True forgiveness is a process, not an event. It's rare that we can forgive someone and be done with it. Instead, we often need to relinquish our bitterness multiple times, continually choosing to leave our hurt and anger behind. This process requires us to grow as Christians and learn how to forgive. We must recognize that our anger and bitterness are not a sign of strength but a sign of weakness. By choosing to forgive and trust God, we can break free from the cycle of anger and bitterness, and experience the joy and freedom that comes from living in accordance with God's character. As the Bible says, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 Jo 1:7), and we must trust in this forgiveness to overcome our anger and bitterness.