MINISTERS MUSINGS

JANUARY 2007 MUSING

ANGER

Road rage is a weakness in many motorists. It is a relatively newly recognised behaviour but all motorists must have at some time experienced frustration and anger when at the wheel of a car. The usual reaction is flashing lights, sounding horns, rude hand gestures or even cutting in. My pet hates are drivers who fail to signal when turning, those who use mobile ‘phones , or those who overtake dangerously just to be in front of the ‘old biddy’ they have trailed for previous mile(s). When on the motorway I often wear a jaunty hat to conceal the give away colour of my hair. It works! A car is no place to give vent to anger. It is a lethal weapon.

Feeling angry is not always wrong provided it is about the right thing, is in the right place and is under control. It must not be allowed to spill over in a thoughtless way, Often anger is vented on one’s nearest and dearest, and hasty words once spoken are cannot be easily retracted. The sting remains.

Our Lord showed anger, righteous anger, and there is such a thing. He once combined words with direct action when he overturned the sales tables of those who were trading and desecrating the temple. We are reminded in the bible that a soft answer turns away wrath, and that we should never let the sun go down on our anger. As for road rage, I am reminded of a car sticker which says ‘Overtakers beware Undertakers.’

At the beginning of this new year drive courteously, drive calmly, drive safely. A happy new year.