I have quit watching the news but occasionally I scan the headlines just to see whether we are in WWIII or something. I am appalled at the headlines that report on mean-spirited people who publicly demean their fellow citizens. I am of the persuasion that disagreements should be handled privately, but a quick look at any of the major news outlets show a multitude of people attacking others with words.
What happened to civility in the last decade or so? Just this morning I read where Stormy Daniels had excoriated former President Trump with her profane and salacious testimony this week, quarterback Tom Brady was likewise brutalized during a roast with Ben Affleck railing about him and his family for six minutes and not to be outdone, Kim Kardashian launched a profanity laced tirade against him as well, a billionaire’s wife was outed for bullying someone over a social media name implying that she was “entitled” to it because she was now “royalty” and so on.
It makes me nauseous to read this junk, but it must be “clickbait” because it keeps right on coming day after day. Egad I wish the Lord would come back and set all these people straight. One day He will, appearing on a white horse with a multitude of angels and those who have passed away, only this time He will come as an avenging God.
What I need is patience. I was in New York City one time and walked into a deli. A multitude of items on the menu were handwritten on a large whiteboard. I was standing there trying to read it all and decide what I wanted when the guy working behind the counter looked at me and said, “either place your order or get the hell out of here!” I looked at him and told him to shut his big mouth or I would shut it for him. He looked at me as though he was trying to decide if he could take me on and I suppose he thought better of it. I didn’t order and stalked out of there with steam coming out of my ears madder than a wet hen, but I can just about guarantee he didn’t think about it again once I departed. It is obvious to me that being uncivil was merely a way of life for him.
I remember it as though it just happened and have carried it with me for years. I was wrong to get upset about it, but I find myself fantasizing about beating the snot out of him. I didn’t change anything by saying what I said. The guy obviously had a miserable attitude and he wanted to spread it like a contagion. Nothing changed him.
I assume God would have preferred if I witnessed to him. Ugh I hate that I let him down.
James 3:5
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life . . .