Wow, it’s been a LOOOONG time since I blogged! But today I felt compelled to blog about a common, debilitating condition among Christians (and non-Christians, too): outrage.

Now, outrage is not always a bad thing. There are plenty of things in this world to be outraged about, and a healthy dose of righteous indignation is often needed to propel people out of their pews and into the world, to effect positive change. But outrage can be addictive, too. Anger is exciting, exhilarating. It gives us a sense of purpose, a renewed vigor and zeal, a sense of community with others who feel the way we do–and all too often, a sense of enmity with people we disagree with. Outrage makes us feel important. It makes us feel like we’re better than people who think differently than us, smarter, better, more deserving, more American, more Christian, more fill-in-the-blank.

Americans are addicted to outrage. We feed off discord and dissent, practically gorge ourselves on the stuff. Don’t believe me? Turn on the news, or tune into a political talk show. And I’m going to stick my neck out and say that it’s probably worse among Christians than it is among the general population. We can be downright mean to people who don’t agree with us.

The problem is that all too often when we go on a crusade, people get wounded. We forget that the people on the other side of the issue are in fact people, incredibly precious to God, and start treating them like problems instead. We forget to be kind. We forget to be gracious. We forget to be Christ-like. Instead of loving our “enemies,” we attack them. Instead of praying for those who persecute us, we turn into bullies anxious to hit our enemies hard with the Bible-stick (or whatever else we can lay our hands on, because really, the Bible rarely supports such behavior).

There’s been a lot of outrage going around lately, in political circles, in religious circles, in community circles. I’ll admit it: I’ve been as guilty as anyone of succumbing to outrage at times, just because it made me feel important and powerful and justified. And quite honestly, I can’t think of one time when it has done anyone a lick of good. I can, however, name several people I have hurt with my rash words and untempered emotions, some of them quite badly. That was wrong of me, even if I was right about whatever issue I was all riled up about. I regret those instances now, and wish that I could take them back.

So, this is my way to try to make up for those instances, a gentle reminder to think before you speak, pray before you post, and really, just to be kind.

One of the things that continually amazes me about Jesus is that he never seemed to be shocked, outraged, or angry when confronted with people’s sin, with oppressive Roman politics or unjust cultural practices. He knew the world was broken, and responded by offering mercy and healing, fueled by compassion, not outrage. In fact, the only people Jesus ever seemed to get outraged with were the Pharisees and the money changers in the temple, people who set up hoops that made it difficult for others to come to God.

^{James 3:5, 9-11, 17-18} 

⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a  great forest is set on fire by a small spark… ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?… ¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

If you’re feeling outraged about something, perhaps God is urging you to take action, to roll up your sleeves and start working to make the world a better place. But that is probably not going to be accomplished by nurturing anger, or by railing against people who hold a different position–people who God loves. Instead, let’s be peacemakers who sow in peace and reap a harvest of righteousness!