Anger

This morning, when I came to the Gospel, Matt. 5:20-26, saying it was displeasing to God when we are angry and call someone ‘You idiot!’ or ‘You stupid fool!’ or worse, I have to confess that I often use the words. But it is usually to myself I say, ‘You idiot!’ because I have done something foolish. Jesus is very severe on such language regarding others.

The thought comes to me to stop it. If is not for us to rob others of their dignity or to question their intelligence, then equally it is not for me to insult God who has endowed me with the wonder of my being. There is no place for letting one’s own frustration or anger cloud the goodness of God.

St. John Climacus, in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, speaks of
Holy Spirit Abiding in Peace Not Anger

“If the Holy Spirit is peace of soul, as He is said to be and as He is in reality, and if anger is disturbance of heart, as it actually is and as it is said to be, then nothing so prevents His presence in us as anger. (Quotes from the Church Father)

Step 8: On Freedom From Anger and On Meekness

-- The beginning of freedom from anger is silence of the lips when the heart is agitated; the middle is silence of the thoughts when there is a mere disturbance of soul; and the end is an imperturbable calm under the breath of unclean winds. (Full text - questia.com).