The Path to Righteous and Happy Living
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. (NIV) Proverbs 29:22.
In my opinion, to be happy is to suffer less. If we are not capable of transforming the pain within ourselves, happiness would not be possible.
Many people look for happiness outside themselves, but true happiness comes from within us. Many believe that happiness comes from having a lot of money, a lot of power and a high position in society but that is not so. Christ and his Apostles at their time were not rich but they were very happy because they had something extremely precious: freedom.
According to Jesus's teachings, the most basic condition for happiness is freedom. Here we do not mean political freedom, but freedom from the mental formations of anger, despair, jealousy and delusion (Sin). As long as these poisons are still in our hearts, happiness can not be possible.
To be free from anger, we have to practice anger recycling, whether we are Christians or not. We cannot ask anyone but God to help us take anger out of our hearts. There are concrete instructions in the Bible to humans on how to transform the craving, anger and confusion within us in the writings of the Apostles and other inspired men.
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:19-21).
We are to process anger like the clock: listening like the second hand, talk like the minute hand and be angry like the hour hand.
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Ephesians 4:26-31.
If we follow these two powerful instructions given in the new testament and learn to take good care of our suffering, we can help others do the same.
To God be the glory!