HATE & ANGER 
WILL MAKE YOU A SLAVE!
by Pastor Max Solbrekken

“A clear conscience is a great step toward barricading the mind against neuroticism.”

--William Sadler, Psychiatrist

While visiting a park, Dale Carnegie observed a grizzly bear eating with a skunk.  The grizzly allowed no other animal to eat with him. Although he resented the skunk, the bear would not pick a fight with him.  He had no doubt learned the high cost of getting even.

Jesus Christ gave us a very valuable lesson when He said, “If someone sues you for your jacket, give him your coat also.  If he compels you to walk one mile, go with him two”. (Matt. 5:41)

It’s not always worth a battle to gain our so-called rights.  We must determine if the issue is important enough to risk our peace of mind, health and general well-being. It's possible to win a battle and lose the war! There are times it is far better to walk away from a fight, even if it means we have to eat humble pie.

Jesus also said, “Love your enemies, pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you”. (Matt. 5:44) The law of Moses was more rigid, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. (Ex. 21:24)

Sometimes it is far better, however, to walk the extra mile, turn the other cheek, or give away a jacket or overcoat, than to end up with a bad case of nerves, ulcers or sleepless nights!

LOVE IS THE SOLUTION TO MANY ILLS

In the past, some have criticized the advice that Jesus Christ gave about loving our enemies as impractical and unrealistic, but psychiatrists are now recommending it as a solution for many ills!

The Ayatolleh Khoemeni was wrong when he said: “Like Moses, Jesus the Blessed would have picked up a sword, had He lived longer.” Our Lord Jesus said: “…for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” (Matt.26:52)  

Napoleon Bonaparte correctly stated: “I see in Lycurgus, Numa, and Muhammed only legislators who, having the first rank in the state, have sought the best solution of the social problem, but I see nothing there which reveals divinity...

“You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests, and of the enthusiasm they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory?  My armies have forgotten me, even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal.  Such is our power!

“Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires.  But on what did we rest the creations of our genius?  Upon force!  Jesus Christ alone founded His Empire upon love; and, at this hour, millions of men would die for Him.”

St. Paul stated: “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink…Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom.12: 20-21) The Holy Spirit taught him the real values of life! He was a self-righteous Pharisee who thought he was doing God’s will by imprisoning and killing Christians. Then he met Jesus on the Damascus Road. He was converted and received a new spirit and world - view!

Booker T. Washington, a black American who became famous in spite of prejudices against his colour and who was insulted on numerous occasions, wrote, “I will not let any man reduce my soul to the level of hatred”.

The famous physiologist Dr. John Hunter, knew what anger could do to his heart.  “The first scoundrel that gets me angry will kill me”, he stated.

Sometime later, at a medical meeting, a co-worker made assertions that incensed Hunter.  As he stood up and bitterly attacked the speaker, his anger caused such a contraction of the blood vessels in his heart that he fell dead!

In his book, ‘None of These Diseases’ Dr. S.I. McMillen relates numerous accounts like the above, which prove that powerful negative emotions can make you sick and even cause death!

HATRED HOLDS YOU CAPTIVE!

According to medical researchers, verbal expressions of animosity toward others call forth certain hormones from the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid and other glands, an excess of which can cause disease in any part of the body.

Says McMillen, “The minute you begin hating someone, you become his slave. Hatred holds you captive and robs you of peace of mind, and your time is spent recounting unpleasant situations.  Your enemy consumes your every waking moment and hatred holds your mind hostage.”

You are tormented by the demons of hatred, jealousy and envy.  Your only desire is for revenge.  It isn't worth it; let it go! Release the hatred, bitterness and resentment, and the healing powers within you will begin to function.

King Solomon stated, that it is better to be served a dish of vegetables with love, than to have the best beef served with hatred. (Prov. 15:17)

Internationally known psychiatrist, Alfred Adler, wrote, “The most important task imposed by religion has always been, ‘Love Thy Neighbour’.  It is the individual who is not interested in his fellowman, who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others.  It is from such individuals that all human failures spring”.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIN & SICKNESS!

Shakespeare saw the relationship between sin and disease.  It was the memory of Duncan’s murder that produced psychosomatic overtones in Lady MacBeth. When MacBeth asked the physician about her illness, he replied:

"Not so sick, my Lord.  As she is troubled with thick coming fancies that keep her from rest." Then the doctor asked:                           

Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,

Raze out the written troubles of the brain,

And with some sweet oblivious antidote

Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff

Which weights upon the heart?”

     A French proverb says, “There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience”.  And psychologist Henry C. Link stated, “The emphasis on sin has largely disappeared from the teaching of religion...at the very time when psychology has discovered its importance and extended its meanings”.

The Bible says: “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sins. If we confess our sins (to God) He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1: 7-9) What an opportunity to be forgiven and healed at the same time!

Let us take a lesson from the grizzly bear and learn to avoid strife wherever possible! In a complex world, we must learn to co-exist, remembering the Scripture that says, “If it possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”. (Rom. 12:18)