Rage is never a good – or useful – quality in a leader. Rage often blinds us to what is really important. The ancient Greeks understood this well as they wrote about their gods and leaders. We should remember that rage directed at other countries is usually not only useless, but dangerous as well. The White House now has fixed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods, including hockey sticks.
Enraged over a news story about his lovely new plane, Mr. Trump now is not only going after the journalists of the New York Times, but their spouses as well, demanding they release their cell phone messages, which will, of course, include dinner instructions. At least he’s not beheading them as King Herod did with those who reported on him.
Then there’s the war – skirmish?—in Iran, of course, . Enraged at Iran’s refusal to bow to US bombs, the White House orders more bombings. And we are told nothing about US casualties, about 427 it seems, with 14 dead. Rage brings unnecessary deaths, not just of our own but of Iranians as well, about 1700 so far.
Prayer for the Day
Like the Palmist, we cry out in rage and sorrow,
But unlike that singer, we do not see our own wrongs;
Although we cry out against what seems unfair,
Let us not be so blinded by our own rage.
Rather, O Lord, cover us with your peace,
The peace of understanding and love.
In the name of the One who directs our lives,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.
Will Rogers, political humorist and satirist (1879-1935)
Anger is useful only to a certain point. After that, it becomes rage, and rage will make you careless.
Lauren Oliver, American writer from Pandemonium
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.
James 1: 19-20