Every so often, when I met with couples in preparation for their wedding, they would say to me, “We never go to bed angry at each other. Like that verse in the Bible “Don’t let the sun set on your anger.”
“Good for them,” I thought.
“When needed, may they always be able to end the day by saying “I’m sorry.”
But, I usually followed up with a question like “What are some of the things which make you angry?”
I don’t know what started me thinking about this again, but I wonder if that is what that verse from the Bible really means. Maybe instead of making sure you say “I’m sorry.” before the sun sets, what if it means don’t let the sunset on what makes you angry. In other words, hold onto your anger because, after all, there is plenty to be angry about.
If that is true…
The challenge and question is what to do with the anger you feel.
I am hardly one to talk because most of the time I swallow my anger which isn’t good for me or for the people around me because sometime it will force its way out. In all likelihood in a way that is less than helpful.
Another response is to allow our anger to lash out.
Verbally.
Emotionally.
Physically.
We see this all too often which is one of the reasons anger is such a scary emotion.
A third way is to funnel our anger into action.
Into the courage and strength needed to stand up and to speak out.
To risk the ridicule and the push back and sometimes the attacks.
And, even then, to still stand up.
And, to still speak out.
And, to still do all you can to help bend that long arc of history in the direction of justice.
I saw this article today.
It stands as a helpful reminder.
Today is April 4, 2019.
MLK, Jr. was assassinated on this day in 1968.
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