I recently wrote about a compulsion instilled in me by a teacher to say “rabbit rabbit” on the first of every month for good luck. I’m happy to report that Aug. 1 came and went without any “rabbit rabbits” from me, so I’m officially declaring myself free from that weird habit.
Fresh off that moral victory, I’m pressing on to overcome another compulsion: talking back to the TV when I hear something that irritates me on a news channel. I don’t do it when I’m alone because that would be weird, but when my husband is around to “enjoy” my commentary, I often express my opinion about what’s being said.
I’ve noticed, though, that voicing my opinions isn’t cathartic or “healing”; it just makes me even more aggravated, so I’ve decided it’s time to pull the plug on this pointless, annoying habit. It’s one thing to get the news; it’s another to let it get me. Talking back to the TV is surely symptomatic of the latter.
My behavior reminds me of a show called “Mystery Science Theatre” that features old, low-budget movies with running commentary provided throughout by silhouetted characters superimposed on the bottom of the film to look like they’re sitting in the front row of a theatre. That’s me when I’m watching a news program, except I’m not always as funny as the MST commentators.
I know, however, that zipping my lips just fixes part of the problem. My heart needs to change. I need to learn to listen to the opinions of others, however misguided I think they are, without letting it get under my skin so much. I can’t keep someone else from being offensive, but I can control whether or not I take up the offense.
My pastor has recently been preaching a sermon series called “Live Unoffended,” which is why I’ve been forced to deal with this “news rage” issue. My big toes are mighty bruised from the sermons I’ve heard, but I’m thankful for that because living in a state of constant aggravation is no way to live.
There are times to take a stand, for sure, but we should only draw lines where God clearly draws them. And even then, we’re commanded to walk and speak in love.
Step one for me in derailing the anger train is to stop talking back to my TV, but I’m sure more steps will follow. God is always calling us up higher.
Conviction loves company, so here’s a list (courtesy of my pastor) of some things we can do to “live unoffended” (caution: put on steel-toed shoes before reading): distinguish between sin and non-sin issues; offer relationship, not anger, to those who offend us; forgive and forbear as God has forgiven and demonstrated forbearance toward us; give grace for immaturity in others; realize God never intended for us all to be exactly alike; look for the good in others.
See why my toes are so bruised?
“Good grief, nobody acts like this in the real world!” you may be thinking.
That’s exactly why Christians should. Christ-followers aren’t supposed to act like everybody else in the world (see John 17:14; Romans 12:2). We’re called to be different, like Jesus was.
More than anyone who’s ever lived, Jesus had reasons to be offended. He was insulted, maligned, doubted, betrayed, denied, mocked, used, hated, rejected and killed. And that has continued for centuries. How does He respond to all that? He lovingly pursues us for our good, forgives all who sincerely ask, and accepts all who humbly accept His invitation to relationship.
Jesus expressed righteous anger when situations truly called for that, but my anger is usually more ridiculous than righteous. Especially when I’m yelling at my TV.