“Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage.”
– Lyric from “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by Smashing Pumpkins
Anger consumes us.
Hatred entraps us.
I know someone who was “wronged” by someone almost 40 years ago. The hatred and anger that person holds for the other has zero — Z E R O — effect on the hated, and completely controls, in some regard, the hater.
Get messed over on a business deal? Cut it lose. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be “once bitten, twice shy,” but the fact of the matter is this; anger consumes us, and hatred entraps us.
If we want to be more than rats in cages, we owe it to ourselves to move on to what comes next.
Michael Lee says
Great post Steve. Looks like someone else said something very similar many many years ago knowing that we would all struggle with it…
Matthew 5:21-26 (ESV)
21“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brotherc will be liable to judgment; whoever insultsd his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the helle of fire. 23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.f