Pulkit Sharma
Anger is a primitive emotion. Let’s face it, we all get angry over big, small and imaginary things. We become furious when our wellbeing is threatened, our needs and expectations are not met, or when justice is denied. Anger can vary from slight annoyance to blind wrath. Under its spell, people often venture to strike back. Blinded by rage, the individual loses reason and may end up harming himself or others – sometimes with dreadful results.
Interestingly, anger seems to also have a positive side. In the course of evolution, it has served a vital function in helping people protect themselves during threat. Anger makes the weakest of the lot appear intimidating and scares away enemies. The person who is angry is letting others know that they ought to step back and stop trampling upon his interests. That’s why anger management is tricky; it becomes difficult to know where to draw the line.
The Bible enlightens us that that although it is human to feel angry and there may be occasions when anger seems to be appropriate, God wants us to grow and evolve, by renouncing anger. This is because anger never solves a problem, and it ends up making us wicked and opposes the righteous life that God wants us to live. Therefore, we must focus all our strength in overcoming anger.
Some of us may feel extremely vulnerable while executing this. We have a fear that if we don’t defend ourselves aggressively the whole world might take us for a ride. Then, who will protect us and take care of our needs? At the outset, this worry seems to be logical and true, but the mystical perspective reassures us that we need not worry if people threaten or violate our rights. God is invariably there to guide us and nourish our body, mind and soul. All that is required on our part is to purify our desires, surrender to him like a child and then make a request for what we need, and it will be certainly fulfilled.
There could still be moments when we feel that God has not granted us what we needed. It is during these times that our faith is shaken up and there is despondency. Even during adverse circumstances, we should try our best to stay away from anger and depression because God has a bigger plan for us. These are the times when God uses pain and suffering as a means to break our ignorance, test our faith and help us build perseverance.
Nonetheless, the Bible also establishes a fine distinction between egoistic and righteous anger. It clearly states that the anger that needs to be given up is the former one which usually comes up when our self-centeredness gets shaken up. In contrast, righteous anger arises when someone violates God’s commandment and truth consciousness. Evils such as sexual assault, violence, terrorism, ethnic cleansing and torture will enrage those who love God. This latter type of anger is not wrong because it aims at reformation of negative forces.
All this brings us to the realisation that anger is very complex. There are no easy answers. We need a lot of self-awareness, a true surrender and a steadfast will to understand and deal with our anger.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India: The Speaking Tree: June 2, 2018
Pulkit Sharma
Anger is a primitive emotion. Let’s face it, we all get angry over big, small and imaginary things. We become furious when our wellbeing is threatened, our needs and expectations are not met, or when justice is denied. Anger can vary from slight annoyance to blind wrath. Under its spell, people often venture to strike back. Blinded by rage, the individual loses reason and may end up harming himself or others – sometimes with dreadful results.
Interestingly, anger seems to also have a positive side. In the course of evolution, it has served a vital function in helping people protect themselves during threat. Anger makes the weakest of the lot appear intimidating and scares away enemies. The person who is angry is letting others know that they ought to step back and stop trampling upon his interests. That’s why anger management is tricky; it becomes difficult to know where to draw the line.
The Bible enlightens us that that although it is human to feel angry and there may be occasions when anger seems to be appropriate, God wants us to grow and evolve, by renouncing anger. This is because anger never solves a problem, and it ends up making us wicked and opposes the righteous life that God wants us to live. Therefore, we must focus all our strength in overcoming anger.
Some of us may feel extremely vulnerable while executing this. We have a fear that if we don’t defend ourselves aggressively the whole world might take us for a ride. Then, who will protect us and take care of our needs? At the outset, this worry seems to be logical and true, but the mystical perspective reassures us that we need not worry if people threaten or violate our rights. God is invariably there to guide us and nourish our body, mind and soul. All that is required on our part is to purify our desires, surrender to him like a child and then make a request for what we need, and it will be certainly fulfilled.
There could still be moments when we feel that God has not granted us what we needed. It is during these times that our faith is shaken up and there is despondency. Even during adverse circumstances, we should try our best to stay away from anger and depression because God has a bigger plan for us. These are the times when God uses pain and suffering as a means to break our ignorance, test our faith and help us build perseverance.
Nonetheless, the Bible also establishes a fine distinction between egoistic and righteous anger. It clearly states that the anger that needs to be given up is the former one which usually comes up when our self-centeredness gets shaken up. In contrast, righteous anger arises when someone violates God’s commandment and truth consciousness. Evils such as sexual assault, violence, terrorism, ethnic cleansing and torture will enrage those who love God. This latter type of anger is not wrong because it aims at reformation of negative forces.
All this brings us to the realisation that anger is very complex. There are no easy answers. We need a lot of self-awareness, a true surrender and a steadfast will to understand and deal with our anger.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India: The Speaking Tree: June 2, 2018