"With kindness and with love you can make many tame..."

From the book "The teachings of Elder Joseph the Hesychast - Expression of the Monastic Experience" - published by the Sacred Monastery of Filotheou, Holy Mountain.

Source: pemptousia

 

«Anger - of its own - is something natural.  Like the nerves in the body. It too is a nerve, of the soul, and each one of us must utilize it against the demons, against heresiarchs, and against every one who hinders us from following the path of God.

Should you however become angry against your like-minded brethren or become beside yourself, then you ruin the work of your own hands, in which case, you are ill with vainglory and are misusing that nerve of your soul. You are furthermore depriving yourself of the love towards all others and of true humility.

 

Saint Gerasimos and the lion

 

For this reason, when anger comes upon you, close your mouth firmly and do not speak to the one who is abusing you or dishonoring or checking you, or in various ways taunting you without cause.

Man has been created tame and logical, and as such, anger is never befitting to his nature, whereas with love, he prospers and he can be submissive.  With kindness and with love you can make many tame, and if one is well-intentioned, you make him quickly conform, and thus become an Angel of God.

Never seek to be justified, because then you will be unjustified. Instead, learn to suffer temptations bravely - whichever ones the Lord may allow. Without too many excuses, just say "Bless me"!  And, even when you haven't done something wrong, repent as though you had. You should declare with an awareness of soul - and not superficially - that you made a mistake, and reproach yourself inwardly.

Do not seek solace from people during your tribulations, so that you may be solaced by God.  Do not imagine you will feel relief whenever you speak while seeking to be justified.  Justice is found in bravely suffering the oncoming temptation and coming out victorious, regardless whether you were at fault or not.

And even if you should simply say "but why?", you are opposing God:  the One Who sent you the sorrowful events for the sake of your impassioned state.»

Translation:  K.N.