7. AN ADVENT AMONG OTHER THINGS: PEACE OVER ANGER

Wednesday, December 11th

I once believed that anger was wrong, a shortcoming from not having the inner peace of Christ. Most likely this stems from the ways we sometimes observe anger being exhibited in life. We see anger displayed through temper tantrums, hurtful words, bitter retaliations, silent rejections, and in some cases, violent revenge. Sadly, these angry outbursts only lead to more heartache, frustration, resentment, woundedness, regret, and even deep grief.

But we know that anger can also be righteous. The online Collins Dictionary defines anger as “the strong emotion that you feel when you think that someone has behaved in an unfair, cruel, or unacceptable way.” Our anger can be a sacred response whenever we witness or experience these wrongs, and it can serve as an initiating emotion that prompts us to correct what needs to be corrected.

In a recent podcast interview (on “Need a Lift” with Tim Shriver, link below), I heard helpful wisdom about anger from peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah:

“When I watch the news every day, I am as (angry) as many of you probably are. But it’s about what we do with that anger. Anger is like a nuclear power. It either leads to destruction or it leads to light and electricity, and it’s our choice.”

As followers of Christ, how might our anger become a source of radiant light or useful power?

My counselor once told me that yes, for every action there is a reaction, but there is a pause between the two. And what we do with that pause can make the better difference.

We can center ourselves in God before we begin our day.
We can counter a wrong by doing something right or good.
We can keep silence until we find the right words to say.
We can ask questions to clarify, to determine that we have understood correctly.
We can offer a word of reconciliation or understanding when appropriate.
We can be critical of issues and actions over personalities or appearances.
We can protest, speak, or challenge cruel and unacceptable acts and policies.
We can promote, speak, or foster ways to bring about kindness and goodness.
We can support agencies who work for justice and equality.
We can regard every person as a beloved child of God.

By shining with the light of Christ or serving with the power of Christ, we are sharing the peace of Christ.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/israeli-and-palestinian-peace-activists-share-how/id1765227660?i=1000671532297
Photo by Karen; I found this nativity creche at a fair-trade shop. For me, it conveys God giving us this holy family to bring our peace, as well as a sense of being held by Infinite Love.