Understanding anger and sin

[casslean]

I’ve been trying very hard to develop a better conscience and really become more aware of my sins. I’ve had some real successes - times when I’ll be reflecting on how I feel about a certain event or situation and suddenly realize, “I need to take this to confession!” But the one place I consistently struggle is with anger.

I will admit I have a wicked temper. I get frustrated quickly and I don’t suffer fools well. But I also have tremendous control over my anger. Other than perhaps being a bit shorter than usual, even the object of my anger wouldn’t know I was angry.

I was reading a source online that said that anger isn’t sinful unless you marry it with the desire for vengeance or a wish of harm. But that feels like too low a threshold. Shouldn’t I strive to be more patient? How does anger and forgiveness interact - if I’m angry, isn’t that a failure to forgive?

I don’t want to be wasting the priest’s time with confessions that aren’t confessions, but I don’t want to be letting myself off easy either.

 

[pianistclare]

The antidote to anger is humility. Once we purge ourselves of believing that we have a lock on with what is right, or a right to tell others so even, we get a grip on it.
I would try the Litany Of Humility. It’s a great prayer…I’ve posted it before and some people just hate it.
It’s HARD.
But so worthwhile.
GOd bless

 

[Vico]

…

I don’t want to be wasting the priest’s time with confessions that aren’t confessions, but I don’t want to be letting myself off easy either.

Here is part of the Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire of being extolled,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Of course, suppose it were all granted, then there could still be the righteous anger such as when Jesus overturned the tables in the Synagogue.

 

[Obl_OSB]

Anger isn’t always wrath unless it is unjust anger… but since you are noticing that your anger is more prevalent, whether just or unjust, then it may be prudent to reflect on any other vices while doing an in-depth examination of conscience. What this is getting to is that this anger may be a fruit of a more predominant fault or issue that needs to be addressed in order for unjust anger to be removed. You can call your parish to make an appointment with a priest for spiritual direction in relation to anger, be honest and open to advice. Pax Christi!

 

[Bon_Croix]

Anger brings about a desire for justice. Justice is for God. Rather than take revenge, let God work it out.

Harboring anger is like vindictiveness. It can destroy you.

The book of Jonah is a quick read regarding vindictiveness.

The antidote for anger is humility/trust in God and in his justice.

“Jesus I trust in you” is a good prayer when you feel the anger coming on; it can help to relieve the desire for revenge.