“Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.” (Ecc 7:9)
“A man who is angry, even if he were to raise the dead, is not acceptable to God.” ~ Abba Agathon, The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Anger is a wild torrent, a raging fire, and sometimes an uncontrollable passion. It is a formidable foe that can best the most seasoned of soldiers. Even the mighty fathers that conquered the desert considered it a strong nemesis; “I have spent fourteen years in Scetis asking God night and day to grant me the victory over anger.” ~ Abba Ammonas (The Sayings of the Desert Fathers)
We learned first about anger from Cain and the defiled sacrifice he laid before the Lord that was not accepted. Here, I speak not of the plant offering, but rather of the offering of angry murder in the form of his brother Abel.
Anger is a fire that threatens to burn down my home built on rocks. So regardless of my strong foundation, I will be in danger of losing all of my progress constantly. My brothers and sisters who fight daily against this know this struggle well and might even wonder how they can beat such a fierce enemy. But every foe has a weakness, every enemy can be toppled. Anger is not too great for our God to beat. Goliath was collapsed by a small pebble, Jericho torn down by the sound of a trumpet, and Death abolished by a piece of wood. Sometimes the greatest of victories come from the most unlikely places.
Although it may be contradictory, God gave us emotions to better fight the spiritual battle. Lust can be transformed into a deep desire and love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Gluttony can be transfigured to have an indomitable appetite for the Logos of God. So too, even Anger can be converted to the greatest aid in our repentant journey; the conviction of our conscience.
Our most beloved teacher St. Paul commands us, “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” (Eph 4:25-27)
Are you angry because your brother disrespected you in front of others? Be rather angry at yourself that you might lose the kingdom over an angry exchange of words.
Are you angry that the person driving in front of you lacks proper driving etiquette? Be rather angry that you could not fulfill the command “Turn the other cheek” in such a simple scenario.
Are you angry that you have failed an exam? Be rather angry that God daily tests you and you fail to turn back to him.
Anger can be a raging fire that burns down your spiritual home. But it can also be the hearth that gives you warmth at night as the Devil besieges you with a frost that threatens to turn your love for God cold. The devil wants us to let this flame to kick up and quickly grow uncontrollable. But the Lord our God is with us, as He was with our father David.
Our teacher David the prophet and king was constantly on the run, even from his own son Absalom. What a frustrating situation! How could God leave his most beloved David to run so much in his life. To add insult to injury, God allowed a man by the name of Shimei son of Gera to “[come] out, cursing continuously as he came. And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David” (2 Sam 16:5-6). The devil comes to me as Shimei wanting me to burn down my home, to burst out in anger and commit sin. I would even respond to him and lose my peace as Abishai; “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!” (2 Sam 16:9). The devil can goad us masterfully and make us feel our anger is righteous. But the Lord wishes me to understand that this was sent for my betterment. Every bad driver, every disrespectful friend, every failed exam, etc. is hand delivered to me as a test. The Lord wants me to control my fire so that It can warm me. He wants me to respond with King David saying “So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’” With grace and eloquence we can become masters over our fire and control the strong tempest.
Our fire WILL be controlled and we will sit comfortably by the warm fire, even if the Devil gives us the harshest of winter to endure. Let us continue our spiritual canons and live every day to the best of our ability. We know we will lose many battles, but ultimately our Lord will give us victory in the long war. Do not lose heart brothers and sisters; we will one day say with St. Paul;
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim 4:7-9)
Glory be the Holy Trinity, Forever. Amen.