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Staying Calm In Our Age Of Rage

When I was learning how to drive back in the early 1960’s, there was never any mention of “road rage” or being “cut off.” Angry drivers weren’t a big problem in that era.

However, in today’s fast-paced and impatient society, the following is good advice to give to our children and to ourselves as well: “If someone cuts us off, stay calm. Don’t make the other driver angry. We don’t know what he or she might do.”

Angry outbursts are so much a part of our lives, that we’ve come to expect them. Hateful words are common on TV and radio shows. Students and teachers get into heated arguments. People who don’t even know each other trade insults in public places. Athletes and fans shout in irate tones at sporting events even to the point where, in some cases, physical confrontation results.

There’s no question that we live in an age of rage. But we can help solve the problem — one person at a time. When we’re on the receiving end of someone’s wrath, we can return a soft answer (Proverbs 15:1). A calm, reasoned approach can stop anger in its tracks.

Our Lord stayed calm in the face of hateful accusations at His trial (Luke 23:1-12), and we should follow His example by staying calm in our age of rage.

Take time to be holy,
The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret
With Jesus alone.
Abiding in Jesus,
Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct
His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy,
Be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive
Beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit
To fountains of love,
Thou soon shall be fitted
For service above. —Stebbins