I FIGURE ABOUT HALF THE COUNTRY is angry today.
With that in mind, I thought I’d pull a few Bible verses from a couple of sections in my book Stephen M. Miller’s Bible Snapshots, released a few months ago.
I’m thinking two categories in particular might be appropriate.
Anger
- Bridle your anger. . . cool your pipes—it only makes things worse (Psalm 37:8, MSG).
- Controlling your temper is better than being a hero who captures a city (Proverbs 16:32, CEV).
- Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry (Ephesians 4:26, NLT). Some kinds of anger are reasonable, and they won’t fade when the sun does. If a friend or family member deeply hurts you, you may still be angry in the morning. Perhaps with good reason. But the point is to resolve—as quickly as possible—whatever problem caused the anger. And then move on with your life.
- A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up (Proverbs 15:1, CEV).
- A wise person stays calm when insulted (Proverbs 12:16, NLT).
- Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants (James 1:19-20, NCV).
Grudges
- Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others (Ephesians 4:31, CEV).
- Forget about the wrong things people do to you, and do not try to get even. Love your neighbor as you love yourself (Leviticus 19:18, NCV).
- When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too (Mark 11:25, NLT). Advice of Jesus.
I know. Easier said than done.
Even so, may we get ‘r done.
Excerpted from Stephen M. Miller’s Bible Snapshots.
While I respect Steve’s position and acknowledge its Bible inspired basis I am still angry with those who attempt to disrupt the voting process. Everyone should have fair and equal access to the ballot box, rich or poor, black or white, Republican or Democrat. I believe we need to send an immediate and strong message to those who practice these practices; stop, or face the consequences
Greg, maybe we should file this under “righteous anger,” and then drop it onto the to-do list under the “seek justice” category.
People who are angry with the president are not going to stop being angry Especially the religious right Tea Party Christians Anger is what drives them to the pulled the boat in the first place Anger is would leave them to believe that the president was born in Kenya Anger is would leave them to believe that the president is not a Christian but a Muslum it’s sad but is Justin honest reality
I haven’t spoken to anyone today who is angry. Grieved, disappointed, incredulous, gravely concerned for the nation, yes; angry no. Neither have I talked to anyone, or know of anyone (except Donald Trump) who thinks the president was born outside the US, though it’s certainly understandable why the controversy gained credence, given his penchant to be whatever is expedient at the time. Nor do I know of anyone whose opinion I value who thinks he is Muslim, though there is no evidence that he is Christian in any context other than not Muslim, not Jewish. I always find it patronizing, though–and therefore offensive–when those who are on the prevailing side (whether politically or ecclesiastically) smugly offer palm branches to those whom they vanquish. Perhaps that’s a gesture reserved for the other side. It sounds more authentic coming from them.
Sounds like anger to me. But I could be wrong.
One other thing you might find interesting.
I wrote that blog about 5 hours before the election results came in. I gathered those verses for myself, in case my guy lost. I edited the intro paragraph and changed the photo after the results came in.
Just so you know.
Not anger–well, maybe. But not at you, though I do find the caricatures you’ve used a bit snarky. (BTW, I am a registered Democrat.) I do get a bit testy, though, with defamatory descriptions of “Tea Party Christians.” And I do believe the prerogative of making conciliatory gestures belongs to the other side–and I’ve seen some quite eloquent ones posted. They just ring more sincere coming from them–it’s easy to be conciliatory when you get what you want. That’s all I’m sayin’.
Not anger–well, maybe. But not at you, though I do find the caricatures you’ve used a bit snarky. (BTW, I am a registered Democrat.) There is more to this comment, but your blog doesn’t allow me to finish it. So I’ll have to put it on your wall page.
OK. Now I’m angry–or aggravated–that it said it wouldn’t post the comment and then did anyway when I submitted the abbreviated one! So I will delete the wall post, and refer you to my own FB post.
Hey, thanks Mark. Sorry about the glitch with the posting. I have no idea what happened.
I agree with what you say about conciliatory gestures. I wanted to be clear that my post wasn’t intended as a Bible-thumping version of, “You lost. Get over it.” I wrote that post before the polls closed, when I knew I might be the loser again.
I know how upset I felt when a previous president got re-elected. So I picked Bible verses that I thought would help me if I had to go through that disappointment again.
In retrospect, I should have made that clear in the post. But when I revised the intro and changed the photo and caption after the results were announced, in an effort to make the post more relevant to the news, I wasn’t thinking crisply.
All the best to you.