 7 Deadly Sins & 7 Life Giving Virtures "The fool gives vent to his anger." 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. -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. |
