The Eight Vices - Anger
We need to make ourselves a stranger to anger and wrath
Anger is a deadly poison to be eradicated from our souls. It blocks all things and prevents both spiritual knowledge and growth. We need to make ourselves a stranger to anger and wrath in how we live out our daily lives. No excuses can be given in this respect. Even in times of conflict we must remain calm and in control, as anger blinds the souls eyes and will obstruct our spiritual vision.
How can we eradicate anger, one says? Well there is a difference in feeling anger and being and acting angry.
Be angry and do not sin | Ps 4:4
This means we can be angry on the inside but must not let it make us speak, act or think out of turn, resulting in sin. We should reflect and repent on our sins of the day and that includes times when we felt angry, because surely if there is anger in your heart or mind, their is a risk of sin.
What do we do then, when we feel this vice rising in our hearts and minds. The answer to this is quite simply to use all your will to expel that anger and return to peace. To do this you have to identify it, resist and observe it, then push it away behind you with all of your might.
When we watch and expel the anger we are then not afraid of it. It holds no sway over us and as it rises, we thwart it at every turn. Those that fail in this regard, may bury their anger, disguise their anger, or try and ignore their anger with the help of another vice, called pride. To do this is to set yourself and your soul up for destruction.
Why not simply remove oneself from the sources of anger in the first place? Well this wont do, as this would be pride showing itself, as we attempt to not blame oursevles for the lack of control we would have if anger were to rear its ugly head to us. And what is worse, we may blame others in our stead.
Any angry man is not dignified | Prov 11:25
Like all the passions, or vices as they are more commonly known, anger is one of the most dangerous. Passions grow more fierce when left idle, unchecked and undefeated. They grow in strength, only waiting for a chance to catch you off-guard, and they are patient. We must attack anger with calm at every turn and slowly our hearts will not accept anger any longer and hatred too will die.
To close, remember this - on the day of our death, no matter our deeds, our vigils, our good acts we have performed to remain in good grace before judgement, these can all be washed away if we have anger and hatred in our hearts.
Subscribe below to receive notifications of new blog posts direct to your inbox