The Eclipse of Anger

Jo and I were watching “What Would You Do?” with John Quinones on ABC. We viewed several scenarios in a single episode the other night. I found the human response to be intriguing (I guess that’s the reason for the show). It made me think. Given a certain set up circumstances, how would I react? What might I say or even do in a unique scenario. I’m not going to judge, but make a critique. The scenario of a baby left unattended in an automobile is unspeakable. It wasn’t the scenario, but the reaction of the witnesses that caught my attention. Most got angry and either verbally criticized or taunted the neglectful mother. One man even thought she should be shot. What I find most interesting here is while the people criticized the mother, they did nothing to assist the child. There’s still a crying baby locked in a secure automobile with little attempt to rescue. I’m not criticizing, but merely making an observation for illustration purposes. The unattended child locked in the vehicle was the problem. Confronting, scolding, and even badgering the mother didn’t resolve the problem – the child trapped in the car. There is the problem and an expedited solution is essential. Emotions unchecked eclipsed the view of the child. The baby needed to be removed from the automobile.

I think we often handle problems in much the same way. We see or experience injustice. We respond emotionally out of anger and disgust. Here’s a thought: Instead of anger fueling some sort of ill justified confrontation, create a solution that’s beneficial for those exposed to harm, risk or injustice. Instead of justifying anger, use your energies to develop and create solutions for problems. The anger and disgust of the witnesses did nothing to insure the safety of the child. Our unbridled anger and disgust only leads us to miss an opportunity for a solution. Anyone can get angry, but the difference maker seeks and works a solution. What’s your solution?

2 thoughts on “The Eclipse of Anger

  1. Anonymous

    Brad, I really enjoyed your sermon yesterday, and the whole series of trying to change our attitude and actions. It is harder than most people think to change what we have grown acustom to and how we treat situations and others. I just wanted you to know that your messages are getting through to the crowd even if there seems not much movement from our side. We know you put a lot into the sermons and you have such passion when delivering them that it’s hard not to get a litte excited listening and watching you. I will probably still get mad in traffic and still have a short fuse when pushed by some situations, but maybe-just maybe I won’t get quite as mad or blow up as fast thanks to you. Thanks again for what you do for us.

    Chuck Woodring

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