St. John advances a very interesting prescription for anger. He recommends singing. He says: Singing in moderation can occasionally ease bad temper. But if it is untimely and immoderate, it may open the path to pleasure.

It is not quite clear whether he is speaking of singing in general or of chanting. Given that he warns against excess and the possibility of immoderate singing leading to another sort of passion, some are   inclined to think that he is speaking of song in general. Singing, or even listening to music, can help to soothe anger.

However, this can be likened to a painkiller that soothes the pain but does not cure it. Just as pills and medicines must be taken in moderation or at the right times, so too must spiritual medicine. But surely the best kind of singing for healing the passions of “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” For these are not mere songs but prayers.

Such songs can be penitential or praises of thanksgiving. We should begin with hymns we are familiar with from church. It is far harder to cling to anger when we are singing to God. It can often be difficult to focus on prayer when we are afflicted by anger, but singing, even when it is with only our mind, makes it easier to expel bad thoughts.

St. John also suggests that patience is a remedy of anger. The only way to truly eliminate anger is by mastering patience. He also describes three stages of developing the virtue of patience.

The first stage of blessed patience, is very similar to that of freedom from anger. A person must learn not to be   troubled by the words and actions of others. Remember the old saying: Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never harm me.

We must always remember that we and we alone are responsible for our feelings!