Young People Ask . . .How Do I Deal With Angry People?

Bible Examples of Mildness

Consider Jesus Christ. He described himself as "mild-tempered and lowly in heart." (Matthew 11:29)  He never became harsh or unreasonable, paying back injury for injury.  In fact, the apostle Peter, a personal friend of Jesus', reported: "When [Jesus] was being reviled, he did not go reviling in return.  When he was suffering, he did not go threatening, but kept on committing himself to the one who judges righteously." (1 Peter 2:23) Remember, though,  that his name Jesus "entered into the temple and threw out all those selling and buying." (Matthew 21:12) And had the need ever arisen for divine backing, Jesus could have called on "more than twelve legions of angels"! (Matthew 26:53) No, he was hardly a weakling. 

Consider also the example that Judge Gideon set, as recorded in the Bible at Judges 8:1-3) After a great military victory, some soldiers from the tribe of Ephraim were offended because they felt that they had not been given a chance to share in the glory of battle.  "What sort of thing is this that you have done to us in not calling us when you went to fight against Midian?"  they challenged.  "And they vehemently tried to pick a quarrel with him." Now Gideon was a "valiant, mighty one." (Judges 6:12)  He could easily have responded to their provocation with violence. Instead, he gave a mild response that totally disarmed those hotheads.  "What have I done in comparison with you?" asked Gideon.  The result of this modest  response?  "Their spirit calmed down toward him." 

Finally, consider the Bible's account of a woman named Abigail.  David was hiding as a fugitive from his enemy Saul, the king of Israel.  Though suffering exile, David's men often guarded and protected their fellow Israelites. One man whom they helped was Abigail's husband, Nabal, a very  wealthy man. However, Nabal was "harsh and bad in his practices."  When David's men needed provisions, they asked Nabal for some food. Instead of expressing appreciation for the free protection given him by David's band, Nabal "screamed rebukes" at David's messengers and sent them away empty-handed. -1 Samuel 25:2-11, 14.

On hearing of this, David became angry and ordered his men:  "Gird on everyone his sword!"  David and his men were on their way to kill Nabal and all the innocent male members of his household when Abigail intervened. She greeted David with a generous gift of food and drink. She apologized for her husband's inexcusable conduct and begged David to spare innocent lives. -1 Samuel 25:13, 18-31. 

Abigail's humble pleas turned back David's anger. Indeed, realizing how dangerous anger had become, David said:  "Blessed be Jehovah the  of Israel, who has sent you this day to meet me! And blessed be your sensibleness, and blessed be you who have restrained me this day from entering into bloodguilt and having my own hand come to my salvation." (1 Samuel 25:32-35) Yes, in many cases 'an answer when mild' can turn away the rage of others. However, what if your mild  answer does not have that effect? 

Next time: Young People Ask . . .How Do I Deal With Angry People? -"Take Your Leave"

From the Awake! magazine