Happy are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Meekness is often confused with weakness, but a gentle, self-controlled individual is generally admired.  Jesus encourages meekness with the promise of benefit here on earth – not just an after-life blessing.  Meekness implies submission to God as that submission will be most beneficial in one being able to manage one’s anger.

Meekness implies a calm spirit, one not easily provoked, not given to excessive/ unhealthy anger.  Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a soft or gentle answer turns away wrath – encourages peace, in other words.  So, one who is able to provide that soft answer would be considered meek.  A meek person maintains control of his/ her temper even in difficult circumstances.  A meek person is not week, but assertive when the situation calls for it.  They are not demanding or vengeful.  The payoff is more peace in one’s life and a calmness even in stormy situations which is only possible when one knows that there is a loving God in control regardless of how it may seem to us humans.
Ps 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.  Our world certainly needs peace, calm, and cool heads.  This meekness pays off in that we have better relationships, comfort and better health.  Research has consistently shown that trait anger (those who are angry about many situations over the course of their lives) have more heart problems and die at earlier ages on average.

Ecc 7:8-9  The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Eph 4:31-32  31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 
Eph 4:29-32   29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
These exhortations are designed for our good.

The purpose of healthy anger is to motivate and energize us to address wrong behavior with a loving attitude – meaning that the action is intended for another’s good and the good of society.  What we do not have authority to do is take vengeance.
To help us respond to wrongs appropriately, ask the following questions:

1. Is this worth my energy?  Be careful who you seek out for consolation.  Venting is not helpful.  It often only reinforces the irrational, ungodly beliefs/ thoughts.  If it is not worth the energy, let it go and focus on doing something else while trusting God.  If it is, then…

1. What is the limit of my legitimate authority?Then….
2. What is the best course of action given that limited authority in light of my relationship with God?

(see posts on anger dated: 10/08/13; 10/20/13; 11/23/13; 01/20/16)

What? You are kidding, right?  Well, it does not seem right, but many “truths” tend to go against our natural perspective.
This is the second of the nine Beatitudes.  Happy are those who mourn for they will be comforted – Matt 5:4.

Behavior goes with emotion.  Emotions have purpose and, if nothing else, energizes and motivates behavior.  These “truths”, these beliefs, prompt healthy emotion; thus, healthy behavior.

Mourning is an individually unique process experienced within the context of one’s culture.  Mourning is a natural, normal emotional response to a loss.  The process of grieving is healthy in that one is able to place the loss in proper perspective and integrate that loss into their overall life experience/ journey.  Losses do not feel good, but feeling good in the short run is not necessarily the best for us.  It is in the long run that we may learn from, grow from and be able to appreciate life all the more.  This gracious mourning can lead to those blessings/ being happy or more contented as we expand our perspective.  When we lose someone important to us, who has poured into our lives, we can honor that memory by attempting to live out or provide for others that same blessing.  The ability to appreciate the meaning we derived from that relationship can motivate us to live well and even have greater compassion for others.

Inconsolable mourning is based on an untruth: belief that enough mourning will somehow make the loss return, not hurt or loose the importance and ignores that meaningful opportunities not only remain, but will emerge in the future.  Inconsolable mourning focuses on nothing other than the loss and ignores other aspects of our lives or future possibilities which can then lead to even more loss.

From a spiritual perspective, mourning is healthy when it prompts us to be remorseful regarding our own short-comings/ sin.  When we do something wrong, the proper response is to feel remorse which prompts the behavior of making restitution or at least apologizing.  When someone wrongs you, they apologize and you accept their apology; the relationship can be restored.  There was hurt experienced, but you are able to enjoy the relationship freely once again.  When we are in that remorseful posture with God, He has provided the way through his son, Jesus, for our relationship with God to be reconciled or restored such that we can enjoy that spiritual comfort of knowing that no matter our circumstances God loves us and that there will be an eternal, perfect comfort that is coming.

So, mourn well.  Experience the pain.  Allow the pain to motivate you to consider your spiritual condition, more fully appreciate life, and use your experiences to invest in others.  Then you will know how mourning can lead to happiness (satisfaction, contentment, meaning)!

Disclaimer:  Please remember that it is NOT my intention for this to be an exhaustive Biblical commentary or a full explanation on the topic from a behavioral health perspective.