Anger destroys…in so many ways. When you keep it bottled up inside, it explodes in places it never should. When you speak your mind quickly, you sometimes say things that you regret. Most of all, anger eats away at your insides. It chews. It gnaws. It irritates. It causes you to eventually close yourself off to those closest to you, and to the rest of the world.
This past weekend I had a sample of this kind of debilitating anger thrown in my face. Although I could understand the other side of the argument, this bout of anger left no room for understanding another’s actions or feelings. It was hurtful. It created as much distress, as that which was at its source.
Through a period of reflection, through hurt, and fortified by some recent good examples, I decided not to reciprocate. The end result for me felt better than letting all of those negative feelings out just to strike back. Yes, I had done something thoughtlessly. Yes, it had caused hurt. But it had happened without intent. The backlash that was directed at me was intentional – and hurtful. I’m glad I chose the path I did.
I urge you that, when you are angry, THINK about it first. Don’t strike back, just in order to cause more pain. Of course, that is the human reaction. But TRY to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Try to be compassionate and proactive in your response. You’ll feel better if you do.
The Prisoner's Prayer Book 