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Hopefully, prayerfully by the publication of this article, the tensions in the international arena would have subsided. This article is being written on the weekend after the sudden outbreak of the latest international war which is the Israel-Hamas conflict. But we are not looking in-depth at that conflict in this article, it is simply a reference point. We are looking (personally) internally at what causes such conflicts and those on much smaller scales right down to localized and domestic violence to occur with such frequency. In short, why are we so angry?
The Bible records the first instances of dysfunctionality in the family of Adam and Eve and their first two sons. First we have the “blame game” between Adam and Eve as the responsibility for disobedience to God’s instruction on restrictions from eating of the tree in the center of the garden. Secondly, years later the dysfunction continued as jealousy arose between the brothers Cain and Abel which drove Cain to commit cold blooded murder of Abel simply because God had accepted Abel’s sacrifice/offering as being more worthy that that of Cain’. Why was there disagreement between the parents, why was there the unjustified killing of a brother? Can it be the depraved nature of human kind getting the better of us until reason and rationale are lost in the emotions and chemical releases in our system? Why were they so angry and why are we still so angry?
While the author has no formal training in human behaviour, any observer of life will notice the tendency towards aggressive behavior in the average or otherwise “normal” person. Look carefully at the advent of road rage since the advancement in motorized transportation. Why can’t we appreciate the blessing of advanced transportation and exercise more patience with each other in traffic? Is it worth the increased risk of non-communicable diseases brought on by stress? Look at the statistics of an approximately 50% divorce rate. Whatever the reasons, this high rate speaks to an inability to settle differences amicably, which points to an underlying lack of peace.
Can it be that we have failed to adjust to the frustrations of modern conveniences? However, the first family in the bible had no conveniences and had their anger issues. There must be something more to this puzzle. Maybe we can begin by looking at angry and peaceful characteristics.
Anger is described as a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure or hostility, irritation, fury, wrath, vexation and such emotions.
Peace is described as tranquility, mental calm, serenity, quiet, restfulness, peace of mind, for example. Peace makes forgiveness possible.
We can further speculate that there must be some sort of trigger that moves people from a sense of peace to a state of anger. Now, not all anger is instantaneous, some angers are long held simmering hostilities which are described as grudges, vengeful, or bitterness, all of which are rooted in unforgiveness or traditional misguided notions. Anger is a self-destructive emotion, which left unchecked, not only results in restraints such as being held by the law but the internal damage to the body and mind, including sleeplessness, and mental instability.
Solomon describes it this way in Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools”. Again, Solomon in Proverbs 16:32 also advises “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”.
Unforgiveness is a direct threat to the attainment and retention of peace internally, with others, and most importantly with God. Any threat to receiving God’s forgiveness puts us in danger of eternal separation from God. One must ask, “is it worth eternal separation from God?” when choosing not to forgive? The Gospel in Matthew 6:14-15 is clear – “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.
The positions on why we are so angry are too numerous, but the results are the same destructive effects on all. However, lasting peace has one source. The prophet Isaiah put the revelation in Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
This same Prince of Peace in the Gospel of Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.
Simply put, the primary reason we are so angry is because there is a fuel of dissatisfaction, unresolved issues, unhappiness, unforgiveness and many other issues which can only be fixed by the Peace found in the Love of God through Christ Jesus the Prince of Peace. The more we give our burdens to Him the more peace we will enjoy and spread to the issues and people around us. Try His Peace today it is simply a prayer away.
