Cure for a Culture of Anger, Part 1

Posted Nov 4, 10:32 AM by Kay Camenisch

As I look at the Culture of Anger around me (see former post), the first thing I need to do is keep my eyes on God. Without Him, I can do nothing. It is all up to Him. And yet, does He not call us to make a difference in the world we live in? Do we not carry some responsibility?

If that be so, and if I want to be part of overcoming the culture of anger, I need to start with me. I need to surrender my life to God and open to Him all the hidden areas of darkness so His Light can bring healing and wholeness.

Light overcomes darkness. (A small match in a great cave dispels darkness.) God sent us the Light so that we might have life and have it abundantly. Jesus really is the answer. Could our problem with anger, or with lack of influence in stopping it, be that we put up barriers to keep the Light out of our darkest corners?

Often irrational anger comes from deep, secret hurts, unforgiveness, bitterness, and/or sin. As long as those remain hidden, they will be a place from which the enemy can make us stumble. As a pastor friend of ours, Richard McAfee, said, “When you bury something [refusing to face it], you bury it alive, and it grows.” Then, doesn’t it unexpectedly pop up, often when we least expect it, and often in the form of anger?

The Light of Jesus brings healing and wholeness as we open to Him—and open we must if we want to gain victory in our lives. The choice is ours. He does not force open a door that we have locked. Now, I admit, He may let our discomforts increase until we are ready to open the locked door, but it is only for our good—because He wants us healed, whole, and walking in victory.

Then—when we are victorious—we will have a greater impact on the culture of anger around us, for as we let the Light of God shine in us, He shines through us to the world around us.

More later . . .