Angry Words

Year 6-Day 25:Today, I am grateful we can choose our response to angry words. 

"People say a lot of things in anger. It is our choice whether or not to listen." -Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast

It is musical weekend at MJHS. It is my favorite extra curricular event of the year because it involves so many students. Some, who may have never really spent any time together because they are in different grades, different music groups or different social circles. They talent is always beyond what we expect and the kids pour their hearts into the practice, sets, shows and performances. The teacher team is our Choir Director, a Special Ed teacher and a Language Arts teacher. The Art teacher helps with sets, too. What a team effort. If you are local... Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. A cheap date night. 

I love to look at quotes from the show the week prior. This one jumped out as a great one. It captures one of the great life lessons I learned a long time ago. Others cannot control my feelings... I choose the emotional response by what I tell myself in my head. Yes, words can hurt, but we don't have to own another's anger. Yes. Relationships can be complicated. 

Much of when time the Beast is raging... much of his conflict is internal. Belle didn't cause it. Neither did his faithful castle staff.  His own behaviors led to his imprisonment in a body that reflected the ugly in his heart. He was imprisoned in misery in his own castle. Mrs. Potts, the teapot, lends wisdom to the show. She mothers everyone. I adore her. 

Angry words can fly so fast. Especially when we are tired... physically or emotionally. We can't take them back and some of the damage goes deep. We can train ourselves to not instantly respond to them when they start flying from unexpected places at the strangest times. The castle staff remind the Beast over and over that he must not lose his temper if he is to win the heart of the smart, sweet, beautiful and wise Belle. Yes... her brain and her heart are what melted the Beast's gruff exterior to discover the prince inside. 

When pondering a scripture to connect, I am reminded of the one time Jesus exhibited anger. It was because of the desecration and the shame the people inside were bringing to God's house. It was intolerable in a place that should be treated as holy. Beyond that, he was usually on the receiving end of the anger. 

Like us, Jesus felt hurt when treated poorly. More of his displeasure came when those who were hurting or vulnerable were mistreated. He would not tolerate them being rejected, mistreated or written off because they were Gentile or without status. He was the greatest example of love changing everything. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.-Philippians 4:8 

As humans we get hurt. Some say that anger is always a secondary response... there must be some other emotion touched before anger rises. Most often it is fear or hurt. It can, also, be a result of insecurity or a sense of injustice. In the case of injustice, it can be motivating but we must be cautious as anger can quickly turn self-destructive. 

Whatever is true... check the facts. 
Whatever is honorable... do that!
Whatever is just... in the eyes of God.
Whatever is pure... protect it, seek it and rescue it. 
Whatever is lovely... enjoy it.
Whatever is commendable... note it.
If there is any excellence... celebrate it.
If there is anything worthy of praise... give thanks.
Think about these things... for these things are good. 

Angry words happen. Our response can be chosen. In the end, practicing self control and choosing love... that is the game changer. 

Today, I am grateful we can choose our response to angry words.