“A quick-tempered man acts foolishly.”
Proverbs 14:17
Human Anger
Origin and Causes
Anger is a natural emotional reaction which arises when someone, or something:
Is a source of doubt, or fear, because of perceived potential for harm or conditions of dependency, or ; Has something you think you want, need or are entitled to, or; is considered indifferently, or as inferior, or is disliked or hated.
Anger is an expression of opposition directed towards the person or thing identified as the source of harm, with the intent of: causing harm; preventing change or cause change; restoring the prior condition should change have happened.
Since the harm, and the degree of possibility of harm, arising from an event is interpreted differently by different people, it is easy to see why each of us can get angry at different things. Some of us do not get angry at anything.
Anger can be more easily provoked by certain activities such as playing games of chance and wagers, the love of possessions, gossip, and association with unpeaceable and vexatious people.
Anger may arise from chemical imbalance in the body. This imbalance may be temporary, caused by drugs, food or contaminants. It may become permanent, as the continued input of toxic chemical may cause irreversible changes to the brain.
Expressions of Anger Directed towards others:
- displeasure
- annoyance
- irritation
- exasperation
- animosity, sarcasm, verbal abuse,
- ire
- fury
- wrath
- violence
Directed towards self:
- irrationality
- depression
- physical ailments
- drunkenness
- addictions
Effects of Anger on the body.
- Anger de-commissions the mind. Strong emotion clouds reason, which is why no decision should be made while in the grip of any emotions.
- Anger is felt in the body. The heart beats faster, and muscles tense. The face may go red, the teeth and hands clench, and breath may be held. Pains in the chest and stomach, as well as stiffening of the neck, muscles and headache can occur.
- Every time you get angry, the part of the brain associated with anger and aggression changes, and this makes it easier for you to get angry more quickly in the future.
God’s Anger
Origin
―God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.‖ Ps. 7:11
God‘s anger is His natural rational response to the breaching of His laws. It is an expression of opposition directed toward the person identified as wrongdoer with the intent to:
- prevent worsening
- cause betterment
- restore the better condition should worsening have happened;
- educate others
Knowing no fear, God does not vent His anger on those who are unconnected with the wrongdoer. Evil actions and injustice towards other people will arouse God‘s anger.God‘s anger must be taken seriously, and generally brings about the desired effect.God is slow to become angry, and quick to stop being angry. His anger last only as long as the wrongdoing persists, and repentance is not made.
Christian Anger
The origin, cause and expression of Christian anger must work within the limits God has set for us. Christians do not have the right of vengeance, which is a large component of human anger.
Expressions of human anger in a Christian are at best serious failings, and at most willful indulgences.
Since a Christian should not:
- be doubtful, or fearful, even when faced with perceived potential for harm, or conditions of dependency;
- have expectations of satisfaction from others;
- consider others indifferently, or as inferior;
- have dislike, or hatred for others or things; Anger should never arise from these causes.
Anger should be a response to the shortcomings of loved ones, if they are persistent even after rebuke or counseling.
If someone you love, or care about, harms you, or does something unjust or evil, the first reaction should be one of dismay, disappointment, sadness, or some combination of all. If one considers these feelings as a sort of anger then there are limits for these feelings to be acceptable and beyond which they are not acceptable. What and when is anger sinful in Christianity?
Anger that exceeds the time limit.
St. Paul said ―Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil‖ Eph. 4:26-27.
Anger that has no reasonable basis.
Our Lord Jesus said ―… whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment‖ Matt. 5:22. We must avoid groundless burst of anger. It can open a door to Satan.
Anger that is easily provoked.
St. James wrote ― … let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.‖ James 1:19-20.
Anger is very easily kindled when we do not listen carefully, and when we speak too often.
Anger that is unforgiving.
Forgiveness is not easy. In fact, when we forgive with God‘s help, it is a miracle. When the Lord Jesus was asked if one should forgive seven times, He replied ―not seven times, but I tell you seventy times seven times.‖ Matt. 18:22.
Anger handling tips
- Avoid all situations that trigger your anger. Stay calm.
- Pray and develop ways and means to control your anger.
- Overcome evil, and anger, by praying for those who hurt you. Forgive them and ask God to help you in this.
- Do not speak too often. Listen more, and be careful about what to say.
- Remember that getting angry does not help in solving problems. In fact, even if you are right, you lose your cause when you become angry.
Father Rueiss Awad, CONTEMPORARY ISSUES (Toronto, ON: St. George and St. Rueiss Coptic Orthodox Church, 2019).