Anger

one

Anger is one of the God given passions or emotions. It is a source of energy and power to

1.   Achieve something difficult or arduous

2.   Change what is bad or evil 

3.   Endure something unchangeable without becoming evil oneself, or without despairing, giving up and losing hope.

4.   The power of anger is the power of resistance in the soul. (1,81,2)

If harnessed, anger can be good – it can be what God intended.

two

We can judge whether our anger is righteous or sinful by looking through this checklist.

1.   Is this anger in proportion to the bad thing that needs to be changed or to the offense or injustice that should be corrected; am I being too angry about this; am I overreacting?

2.   Is this something for which I have responsibility or some control; or is this something completely outside of my realm of authority and control. Because if there is nothing I should or can do to change it, then it is useless to waste the emotional energy or power on this this thing – it is counterproductive and actually destructive of my emotional and physical health.

3.   Finally, am I going to use this anger to bring about the good or to eliminate an evil or just cause further damage.

three

Meekness is the virtue, the calm strength that harnesses the power of anger and uses it for good.

Unfortunately, until now, you thought meekness meant weakness – but it is just the opposite.

The Greek word “praus” (prah-oos) was used to define a horse trained for battle. Wild stallions were brought down from the mountains and broken for riding. Some were used to pull wagons, some were raced, and the best were trained for warfare. They retained their fierce spirit, courage, and power, but were disciplined to respond to the slightest nudge or pressure of the rider’s leg. They could gallop into battle at 35 miles per hour and come to a sliding stop at a word. They were not frightened by arrows, spears, or torches. Later in history these horses charged into the face of exploding cannons as Lord Tennyson expressed in his poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade.”

The war horse had ‘power under authority,’ ‘strength under control.’   A war horse never ceased to be determined, strong and passionate.   However, it learned to bring its nature under the discipline of its rider. It gave up being out of control and rebellious.

Meekness makes a person master of his anger rather than a slave to it. Two people in the Bible are described as “meek” – Moses and Jesus.   Both were forceful and determined. Both were obedient to God’s commands.   Neither would have been described as a doormat.

To understand the meek picture a great stallion at full gallop on a field of battle, who —at his master’s voice— seizes up to an instant halt. So with the strain of holding that great power in check, the muscles along the arched neck keep eddying,

and only the velvet ears prick forward, awaiting the next order.

four

We harness the power of anger by two steps: Check and Command  

When the emotion of anger begins to rage - check it, like a hockey player –  checking an opponent into the boards. Check the anger that is getting out of control – stop it. Then command the right response. What do I mean by this?

When you face something which causes anger

1.   Stop and think before you react.

a.   Ask yourself, what do I really want in the end? A wake of destruction, to burn relationships and bridges, vengeance, just to look like an idiot who is out of control. No. What I want in the end is union with God and to do His will. Keep that in the front of your mind.

b.   Then think: What can I do in this situation? 

2.   If there is something you can or should do, then Act – Do what you can – Change what is possible.

3.   If this thing is not your responsibility or there is nothing you can do, it is beyond my control, then stay calm and stay out of it.

Remember – when anger rises – check and command.

five

Often, bad things come into our life we cannot control or change: a chronic illness, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a profession or business, some injustice, failure or defeat. When you face any situation that is beyond your control, anger is the good God given energy

a.   To Endure Cheerfully

b.   To Hope – have a firm confidence God will work it in my favor - Romans 8:28

c.   To Accept it with trust

d.   Offer it up with love and Cooperate with God for your own transformation and to help Christ save souls

It means trusting God in every circumstance, even in adversity.

A prayer of St. Teresa of Jesus wonderfully expresses this trust:

Let nothing trouble you / Let nothing frighten you
Everything passes / God never changes
Patience / Obtains all
Whoever has God / Wants for nothing
God alone is enough.52