Thinking before you react

So, we're all teenagers. We more often than not get the mentality that we're right, or we react to situations without knowing the big picture. Matter of fact, we let small things get to us, or our tempers flare up quickly. Believe me, I've been there, still do a lot also. Thankfully, God's grace is more than enough for all of us, and by growing closer to Him, He will show us ways through His Spirit to honor Him, and through His word.

In the Book of James, God shows us some wisdom on what we should do in certain situations involving our tongue and how anger.
"But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;  for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God"
Be quick to hear....many of us do that in everyday conversations, talking with friends and the like. However, how often to we take the time to listen to what someone has to say when we are mad at them? Arguing with them? Frustrated with them? Most of the time, we don't. We do the exact opposite and choose to not even listen. Then it brings up slow to speak. I can't even count the amount of times people have always warned, "Think before you speak". Well, it's a very true statement, and God even tells us to do the same. We are quick to say something that we pretty soon regret. Sometimes it is a simple joke, others, it's something rude or crude said during an argument/fight. Our words, can never be taken back. Once we say something, we've said it, it will always be there. That is why God warns us to be careful what we say and to think about it before we do. Also, there's a reason why this statement goes with the first. More often than not, when we are quick to speak, we are also slow to listen. We want to say what we want, poke fun, get back at someone, and we don't want to hear what they have to say back to us. Though go hand in hand with each other. When we face situations where it is easy for us to just blurt something out and ignore the other person, just think, you may be surprsied what God will have you do in the moment when you do, or how much you can change the situation.
Lets take a look at the rest of the verses, Slow to anger for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. I know from experience, and I've seen it happen a lot, we let our tempers flare up sometimes with seconds. High school is gonna come with a lot of situations that will make it easy for you to get angry. You may be having a rough day with people frustrating you, stressed out about school or things in life, different situations of the like. When we are like that, it is very easy for us to get angry. However, that's what God says not to do. It's certainly not easy, I mess up with it a lot. But by seeking Him daily, He will remind us to focus on Him in those situations. When we get angry, let it lose and what not, we are dishonoring God. Anger doesn't justify things, but rather does the opposite and generally makes things worse. That is why I encourage you to focus on Christ
Overall, We should take a step back, look at the situation, calm down, and think about what we say before we do. Work it out with whoever the problem is. And let God be your guidance