التغلُّب على الغضب

“She’ll be just fine giving birth in our village like we always have,” Dara’s mother-in-law insisted. “We don’t need an expensive hospital.”

Dara was worried. His wife wasn’t very strong, and he wanted her near a good doctor. “There’s no use arguing with a mother-in-law,” he mumbled.

When his wife’s labor began, Dara had to wait outside the hut. Her cries became more intense, then grew quiet. Finally, his mother-in-law came out. One look at her face was all it took to know that his precious wife and child were gone. They were dead, along with all his dreams and joys.

Numbness slowly gave way to seething anger. Dara’s heart cried out, “If only they had been in the hospital, things would be different. If only her mother hadn’t been so stubborn!” 

Dara had to get away from this woman who had ruined his life. He took his belongings and left without saying goodbye. 

Running from Anger

Dara traveled to the capital city to stay with his sister, Maly, and her husband, Tray. That night he lay alone, wide awake. The anger had followed him like a black cloud. He could think of nothing else. 

Fortunately, Dara experienced brief moments of peace when he was with his sister’s family in the evenings. After eating together, they would sing beautiful songs, and Tray would tell stories. The stories were quite different than the legends and fables of Dara’s childhood; they were from the Christian holy book called the Bible. Dara had never heard the story of a loving God who created the world as a perfectly peaceful paradise. He learned how the first humans rebelled against their Maker, thinking they would be happier following their own way. Their horrible choice introduced evil, suffering, and death into the perfect world.

One day, Dara told Tray about his anger toward his mother-in-law. He explained that he was tormented with bitterness and depression. Tray listened quietly. Finally, he said, “Dara, I understand. I experienced a lot of terrible things during the war. But I found peace. The anger you have won’t bring your family back. It’s like holding a hand grenade to your chest. It will destroy you!”

Dara covered his face. “I can’t help it,” he moaned. “I used to love my wife’s parents, but now I hate them. I can never forgive them.”

The Land Mine of Hatred

Tray nodded. “Humanly, it is impossible. But our Creator can help you.” 

“God?” Dara asked. “I listen to your stories, but how do I know they are real? Besides, what can God do to help?”

Tray smiled. “You’ve learned from the Bible how humans messed up this perfect world. God could have been angry with them, but He wasn’t. Instead, He loved them and offered a plan to restore them and the planet. More than that, when we pray now, God can help us. How do I know? Because He has done it for me. I am no longer tormented by anger.”  

Tray continued. “God the Son, Jesus, was born on earth to turn our hearts back toward our Creator. The religious leaders grew extremely jealous of Jesus’s popularity from His teaching and healing. They schemed of a way to kill Him. They falsely accused Him, beat Him, and nailed Him to a wooden cross where He died.”

“That’s horrible!” Dara interrupted. 

“Yes, but Jesus didn’t fight back or curse them. Instead, He looked to heaven and cried out, ‘Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’ ”

“Wow,” Dara said. “I don’t think I could ever do that.” 

“I agree,” Tray responded, “I used to think that, too. I’m hot-tempered. But you know, Dara, Jesus said, ‘Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you’ (Matthew 5:44). Jesus not only taught this, but He did it as well. As I think about these things and ask for God’s healing, I am changing.” 

The Healing Power of Forgiveness

Over the next few weeks, Dara read the stories about Jesus’s death and teachings about loving our enemies. He opened his heart to God and prayed as he had seen his sister’s family do. He told God about his heartache and anger. As he asked God to heal his heart, the black cloud slowly began to lift. 

Tray noticed the change. “I see God is changing you,” he told Dara. “Won’t you become a follower of Jesus?” 

Dara smiled, “Yes. God is working to heal me. How do I become His follower?”

Tray taught him that following Jesus means to join with other followers, to pray and learn about God, and to obey God’s teachings in the Bible. God’s people also tell others about how He is changing them and invite others to experience His power. Followers of Jesus have been given a promise that one day, He will re-create this world.

Dara decided to follow this God. One day, Tray noticed Dara was packing his belongings. “Where are you going?” he asked curiously.

“I’m going back to my wife’s village,” Dara said. “I need to tell them that I forgive them! And I will share the new hope that I have.”

If you would like to learn more about how Jesus can help you overcome anger, bitterness, or depression, please contact us at the information on the back of this paper.