Stay calm and carry on!

Stay Calm and Carry On!
Do you struggle with anger? We live in a world where sin is rampant, injustice is commonplace, and anger rages all around us. This growing trend can also lead believers to stumble into anger and sin. Although we can’t often change the situations around us, we can alter our responses. When we are hurt by someone else's words or deeds, we may be tempted to retaliate, but as followers of Jesus, we are called to model his life. "When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23).
Friends, today's Proverb emphasizes the value of being slow to anger. This is especially important when facing verbal attacks. Quiet listening protects us from speaking rashly and gives us the opportunity to seek God's wisdom and grace. When we are slow to anger, we can often gain a clearer understanding of the situation and the motives that a quick-tempered person might miss. A calm response is unnatural, but that shouldn't surprise us, since the one who modeled it was Jesus. As Christians, our character should mirror his. Preserving civility must take precedence over our need to be right. So, just pause, stay calm, and carry on. All things are possible with Jesus as our counselor and defender.
Onward and Upward +
Fr. Greg