Scripture: Psalm 37:8
Let go of anger and leave rage behind! Don’t get upset—it will only lead to evil.
Thought for the Day: There is a part of me that wants to say in response to the scripture, “Well duh!” We all know that anger and rage never produce anything positive. Now I want to make a distinction that some do not make. I believe there is a difference between anger/rage and righteous indignation. Righteous indignation begins with a vision of what is right and just, and because the world does not resemble that vision, there is a tension that cannot be ignored. Righteous indignation is not simply about exploding or fighting, but about seeing the vision of what is possible and putting all energy toward moving the world toward that vision of what is right. In conflict resolution, there is still room for righteous indignation. It is the passion to see things better, but anger and rage produce nothing and go nowhere except toward more anger and rage which ultimately can spiral into evil. I don’t know if I can entirely agree with the author of the Psalm when s/he says, “Don’t get upset…” We are going to get upset, but let’s make sure we get upset about the right things – those things that really matter beyond the pettiness that too often consumes us. It’s ok to get upset about the violence and hatred and injustice in our world today, but let’s not just be angry and spew rage. Let’s funnel that energy toward a vision of what is possible: true healing, redemption and justice.
Prayer: Make my life a tool of real change in this world, O God of Heaven. Work with me so that when the world is not as it could be, I am able to live my life in a way that moves it toward what you want it to be. Amen.
See You In Worship
TOMORROW
Continuing our discussion
on
Conflict Resolution
