It is arguably natural, but not always helpful, to lose one’s temper after experiencing a perceived injustice, or on seeing someone we care about being wronged. Today’s news items are full of people who have lost their temper over a range of significant issues. Whether their ire results in the desired outcome is a matter for debate. In today’s verses of Scripture, Jesus points out the dangers of losing one’s temper and the way it can be counterproductive both for God’s purposes and ours.
This week's news
Philip Hammond was confronted live on TV by a furious Berkshire resident as Britain faces ‘wettest winter for 250 years’.
Actor Samuel L Jackson was angry at being mistaken for Laurence Fishburne.
Amy Adams blasted fashion house Valentino for using Philip Seymour-Hoffman’s funeral as a PR stunt.
A Northampton priest demanded an apology after the image of a semi-naked woman was projected onto a church tower in a strip poker night promotion.
One Dimension star, Niall Horan, was in a war of words with a Welsh rugby international.
Reflection
It is not always easy to remain calm in the face of some calamity or injustice. For instance, those caught up in the severe weather that is wreaking havoc in parts of this country, are naturally distraught when they see their previously ordered lives suddenly turned upside down. We have witnessed a lot of anger from those who believe the Government and the related agencies have not done enough to prevent the flooding, and then alleviate the problems that they have caused.
Interestingly, several individuals and groups, while still being angry at what they perceive as a lack of coherence in the government-led response, have taken matters into their own hands and sought to build their own flood defences, as well as rescue those in danger.
Conversely, the government and the various agencies have been arguing that they have been doing all they possibly could to resolve the recent problems. This is evidenced by the number of visits made by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers in the Coalition Government to the affected areas.
As a general rule, those who lose their temper and resort to ‘industrial language’, usually excuse their heated response (afterwards), as ‘letting off steam’. Others even suggest that their rants were acceptable under the circumstances, and far better than resorting to some form of violence. As a result, it is argued that they were actually displaying a degree of restraint! Such a rationale has been described as the ‘sticks and stones’ paradigm where words said in rage are not placed in the same category as a physically, violent response. Actions speak louder than words!
In today’s reading we see Jesus making the connection between actions and words, especially with regard to the sentiment of our words. Words that are said in anger cannot be simply explained away as ‘blunt speaking’ or ‘harmless’ in comparison to a physical action. There is little doubt that at times words can wound as badly as an incision from a knife.
Unlike Jesus, our anger is often not redemptive, and our rage over some perceived wrong usually results in rancour rather than reconciliation or some other form of positive resolution. As someone once pointed out, if you put the letter ‘d’ in front of the word ‘anger’ you get ‘danger’.
Jesus says that if someone is looking to offer their ‘gift at the altar’, he or she should be reconciled with their brother or sister before offering this gift. The best place for our anger, especially if it has no righteous dimension, is to lay it at the ‘altar’ or the foot of the cross, for Christ to deal with it.
Prayer
This prayer could be said at the end of the service.
Heavenly Father,
forgive us when our tempers get the better of us,
and result in us behaving in ways that do not bring glory to your name
or distinguish us as your followers.
We ask that you help us to recognise the power of our words,
and the ways in which they can build up as well as destroy.
Thank you that in Jesus we have a role model
who can teach us everything we need to know about life,
and the emotions associated with it.
We ask that we may live Spirit-filled lives
in which our words and actions always seek
to reconcile, redeem and redress.
This we ask in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Questions
- When Christians become angry does this suggest a lack of self control?
- How do we define the ‘righteous anger’ that Jesus displayed on a few occasions?
Action
Over the coming week, monitor whether you lose your temper. If and when this happens, take time to reflect on whether there was a redemptive or righteous dimension to this rage. Moreover, ponder how you felt at the time, and several hours later, after the rage had gone.
Young people
Martin Luther King Jr was one of several men and women who were angry about the injustices meted out to minorities in the USA, and used this as the basis of his work to make the USA a fairer place for all. Are there social, political or religious issues that exorcise you emotionally? Is there any way you can use this sentiment to change that particular situation?
Richard Reddie is a writer and researcher. His most recent book, Martin Luther King Jr: History Maker is published by Lion Hudson. He worships at St James Church (CofE), West Streatham, London.
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