3 Ways We Misuse Anger

How do you respond when you're not being treated well? Drawing on the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Sri identifies three key ways to recognize when anger is leading us down astray and explains how to use this passion constructively. 

Shownotes

The Three Pathways of Sinful Anger According to St. Thomas Aquinas

1. The Object of Our Anger: Aquinas prompts us to question if our anger is justified. Are we upset over trivial matters or genuine injustices? Dr. Sri gives vivid examples such as parental frustrations over a child's small mistakes or workplace disappointments over not receiving a promotion. The crux lies in knowing whether our anger is proportional to the situation.
2. Our Intention: What are we aiming to achieve with our anger? Is it to seek retribution or to restore harmony? Often, our first impulse might be to make others pay for perceived wrongs. Here, self-reflection helps us unravel underlying motivations—perhaps a need for control or fear of losing respect.
3. The Degree of Our Anger: Aquinas asks us to reflect on whether the magnitude of our anger corresponds with the injustice. Is our reaction a fierce punch to a mere toe-step? Maintaining proportionality ensures that our corrective actions are just and measured.