 7 Deadly Sins & 7 Life Giving Virtures "Do not let the sun set on your anger." Whether we express our
anger overtly or suppress our anger which turns into resentment,
restlessness, brooding, depression, or bitterness, another approach
between the two deadly sinful actions exists which can gradually led us
to the virtue of meekness (patience). First, we should allow ourselves to acknowledge our angry feelings and take a good look at them.
Ask ourselves: "Where are they coming from?" "Why does this or
that real or imagined slight arouse such strong feelings in me?"
"Is it possible I have made my 'ego' the center of everything and find
it constantly thwarted?" What or who am I trying to control now
that I can't?" Anger often reveals how we feel and think about
ourselves, how important we consider our own ideas and opinions. Second, we should allow ourselves to talk about our angry feelings when this is reasonably possible.
Talking it out is not a panacea for all feelings of anger or for all
results of anger, but it can help us focus our anger and begin to seek
practical solutions. The great temptation in this practical
method is to blame others or things for our anger rather than to accept
personal responsibility that it was our own attitudes of desiring more
than we ought, or of thinking of ourselves more than we ought, that was
really the problem resulting in the emotional consequences of the
feelings of anger. Third, we should try to learn to contain our anger, not allowing it to overflow its boundaries.
If we do not exercise control, we may find that the feelings will
overflow its banks and break out into hurtful and hurtful actions,
whether in action or in words. Fourth, we should try to develop the virtues that take the wind out of anger, especially meekness, patience, and a sense of humor.
Meekness is not weakness, but can help a person to be calm, quiet, and
gentle when under attack. Meekness is an inner strength which
enables us to keep things in proper perspective and helps us to endure
injury (real or imagined) without striking out in return.
Meekness inspires us to look at the world and the human condition with
compassionate eyes. It teaches us to be peacemakers by seeing and
controlling the aggression and disorder in our own souls. "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the land." (Matthew 5:5) Meekness seeks for the
serenity to accept the unmanageable, asks for the courage to change the
things that are possible, and learns to understand the difference
between the two. -thoughts taken from Choosing Virtue in a Changing World: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins Please Email Us With Any Comments or Feedback At ©2005 CopperCountry.com,Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |
