"Agency and Anger"

In Lynn G Robbin’s talk “Agency and Anger” he says, “A cunning part of [Satan’s] strategy is to dissociate anger from agency, making us believe that we are victims of an emotion that we cannot control” (Robbins, 1998).  This is something, unfortunately, that I am very familiar with.  I often fail to control my anger, unleashing a monster on my undeserving husband.  My anger, although I have tried to justify it, is not appropriate, helpful, or becoming.  I have never once used this emotion to resolve a conflict but as it has only aided me in perpetuating the contention with my husband.

Later, in that same talk, Lynn G. Robbins says, “Anger is a yielding to Satan’s influence by surrendering our self-control”.  I do not find this information to be validating but rather I feel motivated.  I feel motivated to do everything I can to not give up any part of myself to Satan’s control.  Knowing now that this is a tool used by Satan makes me want to do everything I can to stop losing control.  I want to exert an awareness within myself whenever I start to lose my temper.  I want to do all I can to emulate the actions of Jesus Christ.  He had many opportunities during his earthly ministry to become angry while here on earth, yet he never did.  His grace and self mastery are something I want to foster within myself.