This morning
when I was watching the news, a story of road rage came on. Two people stopped right in the middle of a
highway, got out of their cars, and proceeded to barad each other and then
damaged each other’s cars. Rage takes
anger to an entirely different level.
When I think of rage, either mine or others, I see red faces, flanging
arms, burrowed brows, standing tall, and lips filled with angry words. Rage is the outward expression of anger that
encompasses yelling words and showing explosive behavior.
As Paul asks
us to rid ourselves of the vices listed above, rage is outwardly powerful. I have experienced rage towards me; it was
one of the most frightening experiences of my life! I was scared – scared mentally and scared for
my physical being. This incident
happened decades ago, but it has stayed with me all this time. Rage has a way of hanging on. Experiences of rage are not easily
forgotten. The same holds true when we
show rage in a situation. Although it
may not be often, I am certain that I have had moments of impulsive outbursts
that have embedded their ways into people’s memories as well. This is behavior I am not proud of and have
asked for forgiveness from those I offended and from God. Rage is an emotion that can be contained and
responded to differently.
Self-control,
a fruit of the spirit, is a way for us to contain rage. Our ability to NOT lash out but to control
our responses to another in a combative situation is what Paul is asking of us. This means that we have to change the
response from demeaning words and explosive actions to thoughtful words and
respectful actions. How can we do this
when we are so angry we want to “spit nails”?
In walks our Holy Spirit!
Friends,
when anger fills us up and rage is upon us, we need to step back. Often, this can take the form of actually
stepping away from the situation.
Gaining perspective, breathing while counting to ten (or maybe fifty)
can lead to a vastly different response than shooting words towards the one you
are angry with - words you cannot take back.
While stepping away, it is time to have a conversation. Not a conversation with the person you are
angry with, but a conversation with God.
This is your opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to step in and
relinquish your anger for self-control.
This is the time to let the Holy Spirit know you need help and to remove
the rage you are feeling. Asking for
help in this manner is why God is within us – helping us and guiding us to
better decisions.
When anger
is getting the better of us and rage is gaining control, remember to call upon
our Lord. He knows our flaws. He knows our sinful nature. He is ready and waiting for us to call upon
Him for help in all situations – even those of anger. Have Simple Faith that He is available to us
at all hours to help us and rid us of the vice of rage!
Video that
complements this post: Rage Vice
Dearest
Lord, please remove rage from my heart.
Take away the moments where I want to explode in anger and replace them
with self-control and respectful words.
Fill my heart, Lord, with your grace and mercy. Amen!
