America's Season of Anger
A commentary by David Treybig
United Church of God pastor, St. Petersburg and Tampa, FL
At a time when enough hatred is already being spewed into the world
via warfare in the Middle East and diplomatic tensions over Iran's
and North Korea's nuclear ambitions, politicians in the United
States are now adding to our unrest.
Instead of calming our nerves with bi-partisan rhetoric and efforts
to seek our nation's best interests in the face of world tensions,
we are the recipients of the politics of division. In case you hadn't
noticed, political fights are heating up once again.
With mid-term general elections scheduled for November 7, U.S. citizens
have entered the time of year when we are bombarded with news from both
major political parties designed to fan the flames of anger and partisanship.
Candidates are now routinely making cutting accusations against their
opponents. It's open season on character assassination.
Symbolic of what is happening to our nation, the boiling pot of anger
overflowed recently in my home area on television. As our local Tampa,
Florida, newspaper reported on August 7, "A Jerry Springer moment
hit community television this weekend when a chair was hurled at Joe
Redner.
"Redner and Tony Katz have exchanged verbal jabs before on 'The
Bleepin Truth,' a political debate show that airs on Tampa Bay
Community Network. But their mutual dislike for each other turned physical
Saturday when Katz threw a high stool chair at Redner" (http://news.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBCAA68KQE.html).
And what was it that led to such a violent outburst?
"The men became heated when they started discussing Israel. They
later exchanged personal attacks against each other. Katz called Redner
a liar. Redner called him fat. Redner thinks that's what precipitated
the chair throwing. Krimitsos [the program host] thinks it's more than
that. 'Don't think it's from that petty stuff,' Krimitsos
said. 'It's all politics'" (ibid.).
While we hope there will be no more physical violence over differences
of opinion, the season of politically generated anger is destined to
intensify over the upcoming months as the elections draw near. And there
are reasons why anger is stirred.
Politicians have learned that anger is a powerful motivator. When people
are happy and at peace, fewer vote. But make them angry, and there will
likely be a record turnout at the polls.
Providing the psychological explanation, Dr. Daniel Goleman says, "Indeed,
anger is the most seductive of the negative emotions; the self-righteous
inner monologue that propels it along fills the mind with the most convincing
arguments for venting rage. Unlike sadness, anger is energizing, even
exhilarating" (Emotional Intelligence, p. 59).
Yes. Anger is a powerful motivator. And sadly, it is addictive. Those
who are caught up in its clutches rarely set it aside. In political debates,
it doesn't ever seem to disappear; it just temporarily subsides
until it is brought back to full intensity for the next election.
Shortly after the creation of man, God discussed this emotion with
Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. In Genesis 4 we read that Cain
and his brother Abel both brought an offering to God. Abel gave God a
firstborn animal from his flock—symbolic of the promised Messiah
(Genesis 3:15)—which God respected. Cain offered some produce of
the ground that God didn't respect.
So what happened? Did Cain ask God what he could do to give an offering
that would be respected? No. He simply got mad—"very angry" according
to the text (Genesis 4:5).
God then spoke with Cain, saying, "'Why are you angry?
And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be
accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire
is for you, but you should rule over it'" (v. 6, 7).
Ah! Anger wants us. But we are to rule over it. Sadly, Cain didn't
rule over his anger. He gave in to it and murdered his brother (v. 8).
In our strife infested world, it is a challenging proposition to maintain
a peaceful disposition when there are constant invitations to give in
to anger.
But we don't have to be like Cain. If you're looking for
an antidote to the season of anger, let me recommend some reading that
can take you beyond today's turmoil and help you maintain a peaceful
disposition.
  First, the God of peace (Philippians 4:9) is going to bring a government
to this earth that will bring peace to all of earth's inhabitants.
For the details of this story, request or download our free booklet, The
Gospel of the Kingdom.
Second, if you'd like to transform your life from the shackles
of negative emotions and misspent energy, I also encourage you to request
or download Transforming Your Life: The
Process of Conversion.
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