One of my favorite channels is Discovery where some splendid nature videos are played. (I like Discovery's -"Mythbusters" too, but that's for another TFTD!) The brutality of survival fascinates me when I see, for instance, the big cats of Africa preying on the gnus, those cow-like animals sometimes called wildebeests. The cat goes for the weaker or the younger gnu, trying to cut him away from the safety of the herd, then the lioness pounces, dragging the poor beast down to die and become supper. Circling just beyond the lions' reach are hyenas, who bark and growl, waiting for their chance! The struggle for life extends both up and down the food chain, as one species preys on another.
Life is a struggle for humans, too. Our TV's take us to dusty countries where young 'lions' lie in wait to kill and maim with car bombs. Nation rises against nation - spending $billions to develop weapons that destroy and kill with greater efficiency! Blood spatters, people die, and victors celebrate. Then, too, there are those struggles that are less dramatic, played out in our offices, our neighborhoods, even our families. Sometimes, they are violent and some young man ends up dead from a drive-by shooting or a knife stuck in his heart. Often they are less bloody, but still painful, as words are launched to maim, cripple, and control.
How do we fight the fight, survive in that kind of hostile environment? That's a question that echoes in my brain increasingly these days.
Jesus forbids retaliation! When I am tempted to uncover my claws and bare my fangs, the Spirit reminds me of the words that can be the most difficult to live by in the New Testament: “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it.’ But I say, don’t resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too." Matthew 5:38-40 That requires grace, doesn't it?
But, it is a mistake to think that we should stuff the anger deep inside. Rather we must learn the wisdom of the Word that teaches us: "In your anger do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Another translation says, “don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.” (Ephesians 4:26, NLT)
Charles Stone, a pastor who faced the struggle to survive people's criticisms, writes about his misunderstanding of Jesus' demands, his inability to express his anger because he thought the emotion itself was wrong. The result he says was that "My anger festered into an emotional, poison-filled boil on my soul. I could deceive myself, pretend that all was well, and wait for things to change for the better. Or I could squarely face the disappointment and attempt to lessen its toxic effects."
So how do we turn the anger into something other than toxic bitterness that feeds a need for revenge?
First, admit that we are angry. We're not 'just sad,' nor are we 'just hurt,' nor are we 'always the one who is wrong.' There are people who develop agendas to attack us and that makes us mad. And, letting that kind of injustice make us angry is just fine! A person who is incapable of feeling anger is half-dead already! Anger can be used as a powerful motivator for change: in ourselves and in our world.
Second, work to put the cause of your anger into the context of your whole life. Generally it's not 'us against the world,' though it can seem like it at times. The critics are usually a minority, often a very vocal one, but a minority never the less. As a pastor, I know personally how very easy it is to let two critics obscure every other good thing in life. I need to keep my peripheral vision healthy, to see around the problems to the wider world scene.
Third, kill the fantasies! Disney painted a picture of a wonderful world where everyone was nice, all dreams came true, and people lived happily ever after. If we let ourselves live with the hope that we can fulfill those kinds of fantasies, our lives will be full of disappointment. People aren't perfect. Dreams don't always come true, no matter how hard you work at them. Acceptance of our limitations and the limitations of the situations in which we find ourselves provides great release from unnecessary anger. That is not to suggest that we become fatalists or complacent, and give up on life, on trying to make a difference. But, we must ask the Spirit of God to help us to know the difference between our fantasies about a 'perfect' world and His dream for our life which He will equip us to fulfill.
Fourth, ENDURE! A friend who is in AA, reminded me of a basic truth that recovering alcoholics learn - "Send your body and your heart will follow!" In other words, sometimes we do the right things, just because they are the right things, not because we feel great passion, enthusiasm, or joy! Sometimes the very best method of dealing with anger is simply to determine to outlast your enemies and critics as you kill'em with kindness. That endurance is sustained by the realization that there is coming a day of just rewards for us all.
The Word says, "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” (Hebrews 10:35-38, NLT)
We will do more than survive!
With the help of God we will thrive, living in the abundance of His grace, praying, "May your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on the earth, as it is in Heaven." Amen.
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TFTD will be 'on vacation' until Wed. or Thurs. next week.
I hope to see you in worship this Sunday at the Assembly at 10 AM.
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