Danger in Anger

The summit of Americas held in April 2009 produced interesting photographs and cordial words that showed good intentions for the healing of deep wounds in the great divide between North America and South America. The world power that the United States is and its tendency to dictate on its neighbours down South has strained relations for decades with Cuba’s Fidel Castro standing as the Old Guard and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez as its new champion.

 

But it was Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega who vented the hemispheric anger of the South by recalling how the hands of the US tried to oust him from power and the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Ortega though said the new US President, Barack Obama could not be held accountable; to which the US president responded, "I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was 3 months old", to the delight of the other leaders.

 

Anger is one letter short of danger; if not contained could lead to bitterness, hatred or violent behaviour. The open wound of South America has remained unhealed for decades; and if nothing is done, will further escalate the already strained relations between the North and the South. As anger threatens the stability of nations, it also has caused the break up of relations within families: husbands and wives estranged; parents and children not on speaking terms; parricide and infanticide growing in an alarming level.

 

Among the antidotes to anger are debts write-off and prayer. When the chance of collection is no longer feasible in a business setting, bad debts are written off, that is, taken out of the records. If somebody has wronged you, forgiveness is the best option. "Love is not rude. Love keeps no record of wrongs." (1 Corinthians 13:5)

 

Most importantly, prayer works effectively to temper tension, to soften the heart, to conquer anger. Christ is our model, for even as He suffered, He sought forgiveness for His enemies, letting God render judgement. "Christ suffered for you. He is your example, you must follow in his steps…He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly."(1 Peter 2:21, 23)

by Mel Libre