A short while ago I came across this quote by Will Smith. It reads, “Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, ’cause hate in your heart will consume you, too.”
When I read this quote, I couldn’t help but think of the anger, hatred and animosity being slung around our nation because of the presidential campaigns.
I couldn’t help but think of the rage and hatred being incited over the actions (justified or not) of a relatively few law enforcement officers.
I couldn’t help but think of how some lawyers convince people to declare they are victims when an injury was caused by their own carelessness.
If you let greed, anger or hurt take over your rational thinking and consume your waking thoughts, you will become no better than those who seek to destroy life.
It can be very, very easy to be swept away by what may seem to be injustices perpetrated against a person or group of persons. If we find someone who shares our anger or frustration, we feed on each other’s emotions and our sense of anger rises exponentially. Then those of like mind join the fray.
And because they are not alone in their thoughts and behaviors, they believe they are not responsible for what they do. “Everyone is doing it” becomes the mindset, so they believe they will not be held accountable.
It’s called the “mob mentality.” And people begin to act and react in ways that, alone, they would not normally behave.
Our nation is polarized in ways it hasn’t been in a very, very long time. Friends, families and strangers are pitted against each other because of politics, ideologies, religion, sexuality issues, gun control — you name it and there are people arguing for and against it — sometimes with violence.
I fear we are near the brink of no return. And unless each person comes to realize the universe does not revolve around them, that their desires do not outweigh those of another, that their sense of entitlement is based on selfishness, we will plunge over the precipice and this nation of ours will splinter for good.
When will this madness end? When will civility and common decency return?
Now is the time to begin. Don’t allow yourself be consumed by hatred. Agree to disagree with others and move on. And realize that just because you disagree with someone does not mean they are your enemy! We do not have to be of like mind.
Jesus said, “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?” He said, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” He said, “Treat others in the way you want to be treated.”
If one more person did this, it would make a huge difference.
Why not let that one person be you?
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Don't let anger consume you