Sidewalk Rage

We're all familiar with road rage, but have you ever encountered "sidewalk rage"? Evidently, it's a real phenomenon, in which fast-walking people experience hostility toward slow-walkers (including children, people with bags and pregnant women). It's so rampant, there's even a Facebook group entitled, "I Secretly Want to Punch Slow Walking People in the Back of the Head", boasting over 18,000 members! (Source: SermonNews.com)

Isn't that a huge commentary on our times? Everyone seems to be angry. Glance at the faces of drivers next to you at traffic lights, or folks standing on street corners. Not too many "happy campers" are there? It just seems that everyone's angry, looking for an excuse to "go off" on others. 

Ephesians 4:26 commands, "do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Did you know anger is the only sin specifically mentioned in the Bible which gives the enemy a foothold? There's a good reason. It opens the door for doing all kinds of crazy things, some with devastating results. Consider a man in Milwaukee, who shot his lawn mower when it wouldn't start.  He protested to the police that he had the right to shoot his own lawnmower. OK. However, discharging an illegal sawed-off shotgun in the city limits... well, that's a different matter. Proverbs 14:17 warns, "A quick-tempered person does foolish things."  (like shooting your lawnmower!)

What's the solution, when you encounter slow-walkers or stubborn lawnmowers, and rage is rising in you? One word: pause. Take a break. James 1:19 states, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Don't speak; don't act...just...breathe. If possible, walk away from the situation. In that moment, you have only one concern: what's the next right thing to do. You can deal with the other person later, but for now, pause and do nothing. That's not going to fix all your anger issues, but it goes a long way toward avoiding actions you later regret. You'll discover it's so much better than punching slow-walking people in the back of the head.