The Good Stuff IV

Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.

 - From Psalm 37

Have you ever been in a verbal altercation with someone, that kept escalating? Emotions start burning. Blood pressure rises. Pretty soon, you and the other person aren't even thinking clearly. As ridiculous as it sounds from a neutral stance, we start wanting to leave the person vanquished, virtually prostrate on the floor, begging for mercy, having been pommeled by your inescapable logic and wit. They beg you to stop - - - they ask for forgiveness. They admit they were wrong.

Come on now . . . isn't that what we want?

Isn't that what people seem to want with their on-line taunts? What is the end-game for people that post vulgar needlings at the expense of Christians? You know . . . those that post memes that call out Christians (especially of the Evangelical Conservative variety) for being hypocrites?

And why is "hypocrite" the insult of choice, when going after Christians?

Illogical and hypocritical - - - these are the big insults of the Millennial generation. Many of them love to harangue their own grandparents (certainly most of their elders) for acting childish. Yes - - - classic psychological projection on full display.

When you're in one of those childish arguments referenced above, and you stop wanting the truth and just want that other person to give up and name you the winner, isn't it especially aggravating when the other person remains calm and collected? This is where the insults come in. Vulgarity, personal attacks . . . we want them acting as angry as we feel. It doesn't seem fair that I should be losing control, while they keep a close hold on theirs.

It drives us crazy. Can it be that the thing that most pushes their hot buttons is not, in fact, the hypocrisy of Christians? Can it be, maybe, that it's the calm demeanor of a handful of Christians that sets them off?

Christians realize we're hypocritical. We know we're flawed. But we also have a prime directive, to keep cool. And it doesn't take many people keeping their cool, before it grates on non-believers, that would give anything to see a Christian lose their cool, throw a tantrum, run off at the mouth, hurl filthy epithets back and forth.

Don't we all know that it's a human frailty - to see others express weakness. To see our own flaws reflecting in others. It gives us some sense of security or value.

But now . . . I have just touched on volumes of blog material.

Suffice it to say, that Christians should be known for their patience, not for their intolerance. It is something we strive for.

And if we get that right, even a little bit, be sure there will be scoffers who make it their job to topple you from the pedestal of patience.

The patience of Christians is a good thing. It's part of The Good Stuff. We miss the mark. We miss and we know it. And we feel bad about it. And guilt, in this sense, is good, too. A healthy conscience does not run away from feelings of guilt.

To our scoffer friends: It's not easy. Patience is called a virtue because it does no come naturally. Don't worry - - - we're feeling the pressure of wanting to walk in His footsteps. And as much as we know you'd love to see us lose our patience, please know that, as our friend, we'd love to have your encouragement, not your denunciations.

Isn't that what good people do? Isn't that the sign of a good human being?