Categories: spiritual-writings
Date: 24 September 2008 11:24:40
From my readings from my patron Saint's book, as I pray to God to help me with my anger, frustration and short-temper.
The first step toward freedom from anger is to keep the lips silent when the heart is stirred; the next, to keep thoughts silent when the soul is upset; the last, to be totally calm when unclean winds are blowing.p. 146
Far too often I try and ensure I do not get angry or am affected by anger at all; St John makes it clear it is something that takes time: the lips must be silent first, even if the heart is stirred or the words are formed in one's heart. I am not yet up to constancy here: please, O Lord, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" [Psalm 141:3]
A quick movement of the millstone can grind in one moment and do away with more of the soul's grain and fruit than another crushes in a whole day. So we must be understanding and we must pay attention, for a strong sudden wind may fan a blaze that will cause more damage to the field of the heart than a lingering flame could ever manage to achieve.
p. 147
I think the quote St John gives in the paragraph before, from Ecclesiasticus 1:22, "The moment of his anger is his downfall", is clear in this; how often have I experienced a single outburst that has done untold damage; may the Lord help me.