Friday, May 16, 2003

By DAVID EPPS
Pastor

This week, in Fayetteville, a beautiful 21-year-old woman who was training to be an accountant was killed during what police call "a road rage incident."

According to newspaper reports, the individual charged in her death, a 32-year-old man, told police that a white Chevrolet Blazer in front of his Ford truck was driving "erratically" and he increased his speed and passed the Chevy. Then, for whatever reason, the man "slammed on his brakes" while in front in the young woman who then lost control of her vehicle.

The Blazer flipped several times, killing the young woman and injuring her 22-year-old male passenger. The man who slammed on his brakes "a couple of times" is facing charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, and leaving the scene of an accident. All, apparently, because he was full of anger.

This past week also saw news accounts of high school students being filmed in a "hazing incident" in another state. The beer, allegedly illegally supplied by some incredibly stupid and irresponsible parents, fueled the emotions of over a hundred teenagers with the result that a number of high school junior girls were viciously slapped, hit, beaten, and kicked by their senior counterparts. Some received broken bones and a number required hospital treatment.

Now, some of these teens are facing the possibility of expulsion, fines, and jail time, while others definitely experienced "hospital and recovery time." Parents may also face legal consequences. Again, apparently, all because these teens were full of anger.

Several months ago, a minister friend said to a group of colleagues gathered for breakfast, "Is it just me or does our society seem full of rage?" We all agreed that, in our observation, anger sometimes to the point of rage is on the increase.

These days, children do not just get into schoolyard fights; they often bring knives or even guns to the playground, with tragic results. Police know that if someone is murdered, it is often a spouse or family member that has committed the act in a fit of uncontrolled anger.

A number of years ago, I counseled a couple who were experiencing terrible problems. In my office I had on display a Japanese Samurai sword that had been given to me as a gift. The tension was so bad between these two that, finally, I quietly began the practice of removing the sword from the room prior to this couple's visit. Sure enough, one day the man became so full of hatred that he jumped up and began looking for the sword. I don't know if he intended to slice and dice me or his spouse.

Such anger, such rage, is not only unhealthy and ungodly, it can be downright diabolical. Proverbs 16:32 (NIV) says, "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." Again from Proverbs: "Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming ..." (27:4 NIV). The Apostle Paul wrote, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice" (Eph. 4:31 NIV).

One of the great faults of our society is that we admire and revere those who commit murder, violence, and mayhem. Nearly every American minimally versed in the history of the Old West can recall the names of Billy the Kid, Jesse and Frank James, and the Dalton Gang. We also look with fascination and awe on the evil deeds of Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson. The most popular Hollywood films are those which feature as heroes those who commit violence and destruction. Children and youth learn, from an early age, to "kill and destroy" their adversaries as they spend countless hours engrossed in video games. Why, then, are we surprised when anger and fury breaks into our "real world?"

This week, the course of several young lives has been altered forever. Some people will likely go to jail, others will be expelled from school, several may face large fines, and many of these will live with a criminal record for the rest of their lives, while others cope with shame and guilt. And one pretty young woman with her entire life in front of her will never see her hopes and dreams fulfilled.

"Be at peace among yourselves," said St. Paul (I Thess 5:13 NKJV). "Pursue peace with all people ... without which no one will see the Lord," Hebrews 12:14 declares. Centuries ago, King David prayed, "Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men ..." (Ps 140:1 NKJV).

May God also deliver others from the anger and violence that reside deep in the recesses of our own hearts as well. And may he have mercy on both the perpetrators and the victims of unrestrained rage and fury.

[David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church at 4881 Ga. Highway 34, between Peachtree City and Newnan. He may be contacted at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com. The church, which meets at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. each Sunday, has a Web site at www.ctkcec.org.]

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