Anger can feel justified—even righteous. But when anger is left unchecked, it can begin to control us.

In this powerful Christian reflection, we look at Christ’s healing of the afflicted boy and His teaching that certain spiritual battles can only be overcome through prayer and fasting.

The passions—anger, pride, lust, greed, gluttony, sloth, and others—can distort our natural desires and lead us away from Christ. Anger in particular can grow into impatience, judgment, resentment, hostility, and even hatred.

But Christ offers us another way.

The Christian response to anger begins with repentance, prayer, self-control, forgiveness, and fasting. When anger rises, we can step away, turn to Scripture, choose silence, pray for those who hurt us, bless our enemies, and ask God to soften our hearts.

The saints show us what this transformation looks like. St. Stephen the Protomartyr responded to persecution not with vengeance, but with forgiveness and prayer for those who killed him.

Prayer lifts our hearts and minds toward God. Fasting teaches self-control. Together, they help us fight the passions and become more like Christ.

The goal is not simply to become less angry—it is to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

When reviled, we can bless.
When persecuted, we can endure.
When hurt, we can forgive.

00:00 Light, Heat, Friction & the Christian Life
00:25 Christ Heals the Afflicted Son
01:12 Why Could the Disciples Not Cast It Out?
01:28 The Power of Prayer and Fasting
02:01 Christ Continues His Healing Through the Church
02:38 The Passions and Our Need for Healing
03:41 The Passion of Anger
04:08 When Righteous Anger Becomes Sinful
05:00 St. John Chrysostom’s Warning About Anger
05:56 St. Basil: Anger as Short-Lived Insanity
06:30 Christ Offers Healing From Anger
07:13 Forgiveness and “Do Not Let the Sun Go Down”
07:39 What to Do When You Become Angry
08:05 Choose Silence Instead of Retaliation
08:15 Bless Those Who Speak Against You
08:26 How to Overcome a Grudge
09:04 Cooperating With Christ’s Healing
09:16 St. Stephen’s Example of Radical Forgiveness
10:04 Overcoming the Passions Is a Lifelong Battle
10:27 Fasting and Preparation for the Feast
11:08 “Heal Me…of the Sickness Which the Passions Bring”
11:26 Why Prayer and Fasting Belong Together
11:41 Fasting Teaches Self-Control
12:04 Bless When Reviled, Endure When Persecuted
12:18 Freedom From the Fire of Anger
12:32 Closing Prayer
13:07 Join the Faithful

For more please visit https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnmelkite & say 3 Hail Marys for the priest

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