In today’s world we are surrounded by outrage. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have made it easier than ever for people to express their opinions and emotions in real time.
As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and seek peace in all circumstances, but now outrage seems to be the norm. Whether it’s social media or news outlets, individuals are quick to respond with anger and indignation over even the smallest issues.
This culture of outrage can ultimately divide us as a society, but as Christians we can take steps to move past it and find harmony.
Why it’s harmful
The first step is to understand what outrage is and why it’s harmful. It is a “feeling of anger or indignation caused by a perceived injustice or wrongdoing,” and a natural response to something we feel is unfair or unjust.
However, when outrage becomes a way of life it can be damaging to mental health and relationships. It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy and start feeling outraged ourselves — even when we don’t fully understand the issue — which can lead to negativity, divisiveness and even hate.
So how can we move past this culture of outrage and find harmony?
Here are a few ideas:
— Focus on empathy and compassion.
This is one of the best ways to move past outrage. When someone does something that offends us, it’s important to take a step back and try to understand where the other person is coming from.
Maybe they have a different experience or perspective we haven’t considered. Maybe they are struggling with something we don’t know about.
By focusing on empathy and compassion, we start to bridge the divide and find ways to work together toward a common goal. We can have productive conversations, listen to each other and find solutions that benefit everyone.
That’s actually what Jesus taught — to respond in love (and be sure to speak truth with compassion).
— Practice self-care. We can limit our exposure to news and social media and focus on positive things. We can surround ourselves with people who lift us up and support us. We can find ways to take care of ourselves spiritually, physically and mentally.
— Find common ground. It’s important to remember we are all human beings, with different experiences and perspectives. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we can respect each other and find common ground. By doing so we can start to build bridges and find ways to work together toward a common goal.
Engaging in constructive dialogue is essential to finding common ground and moving beyond outrage. It’s important to approach conversations with an open mind and a willingness to listen, just as Jesus listened to and engaged with people from all walks of life.
By sharing ideas and opinions we can come to a deeper understanding of each other and find solutions that benefit everyone.
— Practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is essential to finding harmony. Jesus taught us to forgive others, even when it’s difficult. We must forgive those who have wronged us, and ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged. By doing so we break down walls of anger and bitterness and create an environment of grace and mercy.
— Focus on positive change. Instead of getting caught up in outrage, take action to make a difference. Pray for leaders, volunteer in churches and communities, and spread the love of Christ through acts of kindness and service.
By focusing on positive change we shift our attention away from the negative toward the positive, creating a more harmonious environment for ourselves and those around us.
— Take action. Instead of just expressing outrage, find ways to reach out and make a difference. Volunteer, donate to and support causes in which you believe. By taking such action, we can bring about the positive impact we seek.
We are called as followers of Christ to respond to outrage with love, compassion and forgiveness, and set our focus on positive change. We can foster understanding and engage in constructive dialogue, even with those with whom we disagree. By doing so we create an environment of peace and harmony where individuals are encouraged to listen, share and ultimately find common ground.
Let’s work toward a world where outrage is replaced by love, compassion, forgiveness and service, and where the love of Christ is at the center of all we do.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Tony Martin and originally published by the Baptist Record.
