[204 words]
In 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a baseball game. Boston had one of the finest stadiums ever built in the 19th century. During the game, a fight broke out between two players at third base. The fight be-came a “brou-ha-ha” as both teams left their dugouts to join in the brawl.
Fans for both sides starting fighting, too. According to legend*, one Baltimore fan got so hot under the collar that he set fire to the beloved stadium which burned to the ground and spread to the surrounding town. In the end, nearly 2000 people were left homeless.
Getting angry happens to us all. Some are just better at controlling their short fuse. God, himself, gets angry at times (e.g., 1 Kings 11:9–10; 2 Kings 17:18). But we know, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalms 103:8).
Ungodly anger can destroy friendships, jobs, neighborhoods and even whole cities. So let us get angry over the things that makes God angry. But, let’s endeavor to put away all other causes of anger and strive to live peaceful lives (James 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:31).
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX