Best Line of Defense

Have you ever felt as if you need to withdraw from something or someone? Has something ever happened or something been said to you that made you want to totally go off? I've felt like this quite a bit, right now as a matter of fact. As I grow spiritually I am able to see what triggers certain emotions. I try really hard not to allow  these things to bother me. I pray the Lord helps me with my attitude all the time. I was told once when these situations arise not to pray for the person/thing that bothers you but to pray for yourself  and what you may or may not have done and for God to show you how to handle it. Now maybe I understood that wrong but I find it difficult to always point the finger back at me. I'm defensive admittedly but there are times when I know I truly didn't do anything or that my intentions were good. So how do I deal with it? I shut my mouth and keep my distance. " A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control"  (Proverbs 29:11)  For me keeping quiet is the best way. Remember "if you don't have anything good to say don't say it at all"? I must say that this is the best line  of defense for someone like me. But is this the right thing to do? When are you supposed to speak up? How much are you supposed to just take on the chin? And how do you hold back with out eventually exploding? I will continue to pray for guidance to overcome this issue. When I'm faced with this obstacle I  try to give my heavenly Father the respect He deserves as if  He was standing right in front of me. That way I don't disrespect  anyone else. But my question remains how do we as Christians handle our emotions? Are we expected to never lose it?