SafeMotorist.com

"Calming The Beast"

Our nation was horrified to hear the reports yesterday.  A precious 4-year-old child, riding in a car with her father and brother, was shot and killed by an enraged motorist in New Mexico.  An arrest has been made and a confession taken, but that is little solace to a family left with a gaping hole in their lives.

Statistics found at SafeMotorist.com show that road rage has become an alarming problem in our nation.  66% of all traffic fatalities, they report, happen as a result of "aggressive driving"; of that number, 37% involve the use of a firearm.  Maneuvering a two-ton vehicle at high speeds is dangerous enough; add to that formula extreme emotions and the presence of a firearm, and we think twice about cars around us.

For several years I've been reluctant to use the horn on my car.  Who knows whether the driver in front of you is an armed bomb, ready to detonate at the least provocation?  And, yes, I feel those frightening emotions, too, when someone cuts me off in traffic.  Thankfully there is something within me that keeps me from doing something foolish (and hurtful).  Not everyone heeds that inner urging.

God knows that a beast can grow within us.  He teaches us in His word about the horrors that result when rage is not checked.  He warned Cain that "sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7).  Sadly, Cain allowed his rage to boil over, and his brother Abel paid the price.

Is it possible to rule over our anger and rage?  Peter gives an answer: "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.  For 'whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it'" (1 Peter 3:9-11).

Turning away when we are provoked seems to many to be a sign of weakness.  But if Peter's advice had been taken seriously, there would be one more little girl in this world today.  The one who gave vent to his wrath will have great difficulty for the rest of his life seeing "good days".  "If only" will be the theme each day he awakens.

"Blessed are the peacemakers," Jesus taught in Matthew 5:9.  Paul wrote, "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding" (Romans 14:19).  We generally don't value peace until it is removed from our lives. Those who are wise will give heed to the teachings of God's word.

When provoked, remember these words: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).  Let's work hard to calm the beast within us.

Come to the light God offers!  Study His word, the Bible.  Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

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Copyright, 2015, Timothy D. Hall.