The world we live in is one of polarization. It seems everyone has an opinion, and no one is afraid to say it – especially with the rise of social media, which is fraught with rants typed from the other side of a screen. This leaves us with the broken pieces of a divided world that exists in a perpetual state of openly hostile disagreements. So where do Christians fit into this cacophony of voices?
As Christians, we are called to live in the world, but not of the world; we must be in the world to serve it, but we are not to let the world change us. With the constant conflict that surrounds us, it can be easy to just step back and not get involved. Sometimes we convince ourselves that by remaining silent and not taking a stance, we are being peaceful. But by trying to separate ourselves from any debate or issue, not only are we not being of the world, but we have removed ourselves from it completely.
We are a part of the world around us. We still live in this world, whether we like it or not; we cannot pretend it doesn’t exist. We have to acknowledge the world around us. But to be present in what is happening around us is to form opinions and feelings. Sometimes, these feelings can be strong. Indignation can turn to anger at injustice. Too often, we are taught that these feelings are wrong, so we hide from them. But this anger is natural and even necessary. Without it, we would not be driven to crucial action. It is the fuel that lights the fires of change.
Anger is not wrong; it is what we do with it that matters. Contrary to our aversion to this strong emotion, we can channel it for good. According to the American Psychological Association, “Anger results when a goal is obstructed and requires attention if it is to be attained or a frustration eliminated.” This feeling does not stem from some internal flaw on our part. Rather, it is a response to an external need for change. It isn’t always something to avoid. Sometimes, you need to just get it out. As a Christian, or even just as a human being with decency and morals, you shouldn’t release it in a way that will hurt others. But some of that energy can be devoted to advocacy or pushback against wrong, and it can even promote peace. We are to be the peace of God in the world, and we cannot be expected to be a force of good without a force behind that good.
Ours is an age where we are constantly being told to preserve our own peace. But disconnecting from everything and going numb is not peace. If you can’t feel anything, you can’t feel peace, either.
Being at peace doesn’t mean you don’t vote or affiliate yourself with a political party or that you aren’t fiercely passionate about your sports team or even that you don’t get upset on a smaller day-to-day scale. Those feelings are natural, and we should process them rather than fear them.
They say that anger is important because it serves as a protective barrier to our feelings. It stands guard while we process deeper, more painful emotions until we can handle them. Maybe that’s what it’s like to engage with the world. I’m not saying to be mad at the world. But perhaps getting upset and caring is all we can do while we process the sheer force of evil and suffering in the world. What if driven action is the protective barrier to spiritually grappling with these realities? It may not be the best long-term solution, and it won’t fix everything. But maybe for now, while we live in this shattered world, it’s all that we can do.
Photo courtesy of Atrza Box.
