The D-ANGER in ANGER

ENGLISH WORD: Anger /ˈaŋ-gə(r)/

OXFORD: "the strong feeling that you have when something has happened that you think is bad and unfair."

WEBSTER'S: "a strong feeling of being upset or annoyed because of something wrong or bad."

THESAURUS: "an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something."

Lexically, none of these three books of diction can be said to have failed in it's definitive attempt of the subject matter - anger, but if a holistic and pictorial view should be given to this age-long cankerworm, then we must pick up the lens of reality and look beyond dictionary definitions.

Generally, all humans with flesh and blood running in them would always be subject to one emotional state or another at any given time; Be it passion, hatred, depression, ecstasy - name them, but if a survey was taken to determine the most disastrous of all human emotions, then anger would no doubt, stand atop the list of them all. It is, what would be described in medical terms as a "killer disease" who subtly but steadily drives the head of it's victim six feet deep.

Spiritually, anger could be seen as an act of internal suicide to the spirit man. Now, this is one crucial teaching from Christ which unfortunately, has been under rated by merely professing Christians today. Matthew 5:22(a) brings us into light when it clearly states that "whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:"

Verse 23 and 24 of the same chapter further admonishes that anyone who has an ought (issue of any sort) with his brother should first go and reconcile with him before bringing his gift (offering) to the altar (church). But we rarely hear our preachers say these things, especially those whose motive behind pulling congregations is not for the furtherance of the word, but for the accumulation of wealth through church members.

In the end, offerings that were supposed to be out of freewill would end up coming from bitter, battered and unrepentant hearts who only give for the sake of doing so, sometimes, out of compulsion. Ever pondered about the reason why you give so much in church, yet your blessings seem to take a lifetime to arrive? You may just be giving the wrong way. Look within.

It is worthy to note that anger does not operate in monopoly. It's like a replicating virus that evolves into something more deadlier when given a conducive environment to thrive. It works hand-in-hand with other monsters like hatred and unforgiveness, which is another issue the modern Christian tends to overlook.

Even Jesus in his teachings had pointed out that any man who doesn't forgive his fellow man on Earth would not be forgiven in Heaven. Judging by the gravity of this, you may want to consider unforgiveness as one of the greatest sins that can impede one's entrance into Heaven, but our society has so much hyped murder, fornication, adultery and other common sins so much that those who indulge in such have this perceived sense of innocence and self-righteousness which all ends in hypocrisy.

Now, back to anger.

Personally, I've had countless unpleasant experiences in the past and recent-past, battling with this particular demon called anger. On a more personal note, I am this reserved kind of person who is less expressive with spoken words, especially when connected to emotions. I can be a talkative sometimes, no doubt about that, but all the talk would end the moment a spark of provocation sets in.

The @derovict you perceive is one that would find it difficult hurting a fly. He can feign humour when he feels like, has a head that's somewhat big, but a little below the head is something bigger - his heart. Yes, a big heart that can bottle up kilograms of resentment and still act like all is fine.

Many times, he had wished he could just open the hell within and let it loose the way his mother does and stay free from the subtle burns. But you see, not everyone are wired the same way. There are people who would have no difficulty letting go of certain situations, and there are other who would still find it difficult no matter how hard they try. Thankfully, I'm learning fast, and would soon graduate from that devastating school of thought.

The disadvantageous attributes of anger are just too numerous to be enumerated in this already lengthy piece of writing. From frustration, it leads to depression, and consequent destruction of not just the individual, but the relationship he has with others.

More worsening is the fact that the impact of the anger you breed would only be felt by you and not the person you are having in mind. If anyone is to bear the harm, it would be you. Isn't that bad enough?

In his book, "Attitude is Everything", Keith Harrell identified the power of positive inner dialogue, attitude programming, happiness creation and a lot more factors as paliatives to remedy this impediment.

According to him, "The longer negative thoughts are allowed to allowed to churn in your mind, the greater the emotional buildup and the potential damage. If you don't recognize and treat it, you could face the psychological equivalent of pneumonia - depression."

Conclusively, anger hinders progress. It has nothing to offer than a negative economic importance. And so, like breast cancer, it's early detection and control can be all that's needed from saving a life from lifelong regret. So friend, would you work on that bitter part of your heart? Or watch it eat you up in bits?

The choice is yours.