Root it Out!

“Whoever is angry with someone will be liable to judgment." Matthew 5:21

We should not wait to root out irritation. A small, absurd thing can build up and even provoke murder. 

On May 29, 2007, a 29 year old young man was shot dead by a security guard while singing "My Way" off-key with the karaoke machine. There have been at least 6 killings and many more fierce fights fueled by the singing of that song in the Philippines. In Thailand, a man killed 8 of his neighbors because they repeatedly sang, "Take Me Home Country Roads"!!! 

And how about road rage? This can lead not only to verbal assault, altercations, damage to property, and collisions but in serious physical injuries or even death. One time, on our way home at night from a beach trip, I felt the urge to pray. We were in heavy traffic, Luigi was driving and most of the family was asleep in the van. Suddenly a loud thud hit the van. Afterwards, Luigi told me he had overtaken someone, and when the traffic stopped, that man was angry enough to get out of his car and walk towards us, hitting our van in his rage. Luigi saw in his side mirror, the man had a gun, but before he reached us, he slipped and his gun fell off the road. He started scrambling in the dark to look for it. The light changed, and we went forward leaving the man behind us. Thank God! 

We should always be aware of little irritants in order to root it out. We should not allow it to fester until it becomes a big wound that needs a doctor's intervention. Yes, little irritants can grow into a dangerous thing. That's why Jesus said, "You shall not kill...but I say to you, whoever is angry with your brother will be liable to judgment...be reconciled with your brother."

Is there any irritation in our heart that needs uprooting? Let us not allow it grow into a tree!