The Scripture says: “He that is slow to anger is better than the
mighty.”
We are also advised not to let the sun go down on our wrath.
If we desire to succeed in any enterprise we must “possess our souls in
patience.” In Luke XVI, 19, it is explained: “In your patience possess
your souls.”
We are nowhere advised not to be angry, but to possess our souls in our
anger. That is: Never let anger get the better of our control.
In Ephesians IV, 26, it is said: “Be ye angry and sin not; let not the
sun go down upon your wrath.”
This is the key to what is known as “temper.” It is the part of a wise
man to control his temper. Not to have any temper at all is to be one
whom Col. Roosevelt calls “a mollycoddle,” and such a person is truly
weak and without any backbone.
But the anger or the temper which leads to violence is to be controlled
absolutely. Those sudden gusts of passion lead to crime as sure as the
sun rises and sets every day. And it is always personal violence, even
to the extent of murder that is the result of giving way to such an
emotion. No one ever becomes violently angry because he is not a good
man.
If a man stands up in his manhood, and despises small things, he will be
in a position to control his angry feelings no matter how much he may
feel hurt by the acts of another.
If we could get angry with ourselves because we do not improve, that
would be an anger worth cultivating. But so far as others are concerned,
let your anger be mild and never reach the point of resentment, for that
always leads to revenge which is a fatal emotion.
If others are the cause of anger to us, keep away from them, and if we
must associate with them, keep cool and bide your opportunity.