The more I looked at the bill the madder I got. It was ridiculous, outrageous, sheer robbery! So I called the phone company. I asked the customer service representative how Pluto* could justify charging me $14.47 for a three minute collect call. He said I was not a Pluto client and therefore I had to pay the connection fee and the high rate charged. Attempting to control my rising ire, I explained that this was a great way to ensure I would never be one of their customers. He was unsympathetic, unconcerned and suggested that’s what I get for making a collect call.
Feeling my head warm, I called my local phone provider. Hoping to get some relief instead I was lectured. The woman could care less that my bill was high, shared that she had known for 15 years not to make collect calls and that Pluto could charge me whatever they wanted. When I suggested I would not pay such a fee, she said she would note on my account our conversation and assured me I would be assessed a fine if the bill was not paid in full. Guess what occupied my thoughts for the rest of the day? Cato once said, "An angry man opens his mouth and shuts up his eyes." Well, my eyes stayed open, but it was all I could do to keep the hinges of my mouth shut!
Meditation
Mark 3:4,5—Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
Anger as an emotion is not necessarily wrong. It is what we do with anger that determines its value. Jesus illustrates in the above passage, that there are times when anger is justified. When we encounter evil we have a right to feel righteous anger. But that anger must be controlled such that God is honored. The moment we lose the ability to manage our mouths or emotions, we potentially stray into sin.
Solomon wrote, "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). A French proverb notes, "Anger is a bad counsellor". The Apostle Paul warned the Ephesians, "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" (Eph.
I disagree with the charges I was assessed. I don’t believe I said anything unkind to the phone representatives I spoke with as I struggled to remain polite. But for the remainder of the day, my thoughts were consumed with finding another phone carrier and with a lingering resentment towards a man and a woman I felt were rude. Instead of praying for them I smoldered. Instead of thanking God for a phone that works and the ability to make calls I festered. My emotions were not bettered. In short, I blew it.
Inspiration
The best way to know a man is to watch him when he is angry.—Hebrew Proverb
