Article January 12, 1981 Issue

Taming "the incredible hulk" of anger

CAROLYN B. SWAN

A current TV series begins by explaining that its title character, having submitted to an experiment, changes from a harmless hero into a snarling monster called "The Incredible Hulk" whenever he is aroused by anger or outrage. The Hulk, however, uses his anger to right wrongs. This is not always true of mortals in general! And, unfortunately, much less than a misfiring chemical experiment is usually needed to predispose people to the unlovely transformation of countenance and conduct that accompanies anger; the frictions of everyday living seem more than enough to provoke most of us.

Many are searching for a way to chain the beast of anger that seems to explode from within and distort our normal composure by imposing self-righteousness. Of course, learning self-discipline, even under fire, is indispensable. But practicing Christian Science—understanding and proving God's law of harmony—goes beyond what we can do for ourselves. Applying this Science avails us of divine aid, awakening us spiritually to realize that sacred harmony is actually everywhere, always, because God, divine Love, is ever present.

In proportion as we gain heavenly harmony because of our spiritual growth in understanding and demonstrating Love's omnipresence, we will be able to restrain warring attitudes in ourselves and survive them in others. And more. Spiritually struggling to be good and do good, we will find refuge from the cross fires of temper. Nor will the spiritual discipline of Christianly scientific practice strand us on the shifting sands of apology and appeasement. This Science, based on the allness of God's goodness, plants us firmly on the solid heights of conviction, with its accompanying proof that anger has no real cause at all!

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