"The fool gives vent to his anger."
(Proverbs 29:11)

Anger as an emotion (or passion) is a natural reaction against the narrowing or constricting of our freedom to act as we will or to carry out our desires.  It arises when we face obstacles, frustration of our plans, restraints of our activities, insult, or injury.

It is worth underlining this notion that anger flares especially when we run into obstacles, when we cannot have our own way.  Modern life, for all of its conveniences, seems bent on throwing obstacles into our way!  Human relations may almost be described as the art of getting along with others who are trying to thwart us at every step!

Unlike other emotions, anger almost always leaves its mark.  We know when we are angry.  This is so because the emotion of anger is "psychosomatic," that is, it affects us in both our body and soul.  Though the bodily changes will be more or less strong depending on the level of our anger, most of us have felt, to some degree or another, the "flush" of anger, the increased pulse, the trembling fingers, and the tensed muscles. 

The emotion of anger is not always negative.  Bernard Haring describes the positive value of anger well: "Well-ordered temper or anger is a tremendous force at man's disposal in the struggle against the obstacles to the good.  It is a weapon that can assure victory in the combat against the enemies of virtue, in the struggle for the lofty objectives and ideals which are difficult to attain.  If we are incapable of anger, we cannot be dynamic in our love.  For if we love the good with all the dynamic force of body and soul, we will oppose evil with equal dynamic force."  When we feel anger at instances of cruelty to the elderly, harshness to the poor, meanness to children, this is a positive sign of healthy Christian values.

Anger as a deadly sin takes on a moral meaning if it leads to vengeful actions that are disproportionate to the injury suffered...An excessive experience of wrath, the misguided discharge of vengeance or the objectionable damage done in rage to persons or property results in sins seriously opposed to justice and charity.  The deadly sin of anger shows its face not when we feel the stirrings of emotional agitation but when we willingly desire revenge, damage, destruction.

Anger is self-destructive when it does not reflect a judicious self-restraint, as when it lashes out against the other in blind fury.  Such lack of self-restraint or self-discipline in some way dehumanizes angry persons, in some way lessens their dignity.

Anger is other destructive when it destroys another's bodily integrity or the other's psychic and spiritual integrity.  Anger can,  in the name of emotional liberation, erode affection and trust, whittle away their spirits in bitterness and revenge, and diminish their dignity in years of spiteful hatred.

The consequences of anger are often bitter and long-lasting.  The child who bears the brunt of an angry parent's tongue-lashing may carry the scars for years.  The harsh accusation against a spouse in a fit of anger may destroy the last shreds of love and caring in the heart.  Nothing kills the admiration and affection of a friend more quickly than the arrows of unjustified anger.