Outrage erupted yesterday after Angela Carini withdrew from an Olympic match against Imane Khelif, stating that she had never been hit so hard. Mobs took to social media, angrily raising concerns about gender and sexuality issues, citing Khelif's former disqualifications from other past boxing events. Other mobs fought back, making a case that Khelif should be allowed to compete, and the IOC insisted "This is not a transgender issue." I don't claim to know the answers, as this case seems disturbingly unclear despite my strong desire to oversimplify it. However, my hope in this post is not to resolve the debate but instead to invite you to consider a different response entirely.
The whole thing is a trap.
The truth is, we don't have to weigh in. Very few of the people who read this (likely none) will actually have to make decisions on these issues. I do not envy those who do, but I trust they will consider carefully the nuances because real people will be affected either way by the policies they enact. For the rest of us, we have the freedom to opt out. And I would argue that is the far better path.
The problem is, our society has become addicted to outrage and controversy. For too many, it serves as an alluring surrogate for purpose.
Fortunately, herein also lies the antidote. When we are engaged with real purpose, we have little time or desire to get sucked into idle debate. In Loveland, for example, we have been dealing with a wildfire, and many families have been displaced. Countless volunteers have worked tirelessly over the last week to set up shelters, spread information, make donations, distribute supplies and food, and even house displaced chickens. This stuff matters. This importantly impacts those whose lives are in upheaval. In fact, compassionate community responses such as this can drastically decrease a person's likelihood to sustain life-altering trauma in an emergency situation.
The fire is a current extreme example, but there are crises around us every day, places where you can meaningfully engage with more purpose in your life. There are scores of nonprofits helping those in need: those working in the foster system, fighting homelessness, healing addiction, and so much more. There is a chronic shortage of volunteers in children's ministries in churches, one of the best places to influence the next generation and give them hope. There are countless places you can make an important difference right now.
And when you are available, living in the present moment, looking for opportunities, small things often pop up: the opportunity to pick up a wayward piece of trash and beautify your neighborhood, rescuing racoons trapped in the dumpster at work (not with your hands — use a long branch so they can climb out on their own), calling the HVAC company listed on the work van in front of you in traffic to let them know their brake light is out. These things bring joy and cohesion to a community. These things matter. And they're so much better for you.
There's a myth that took root decades ago in the mental health field: that it was healthy to "vent" or "release" anger, as if that got it out of your body. But the truth is the opposite. Research has shown that thinking of or inviting intense negative emotions puts harmful strain on our bodies. When in comes to stress and anger, this means increased blood pressure, decreased ability to heal and recover, higher levels of cortisol, etc. It also reinforces neural pathways, making you an angrier person. In other words, indulging in unnecessary anger is bad for you.
Some of you are reading this thinking, but the Bible says to be angry! Jesus was even angry sometimes! Let's look into these arguments a bit:
Some translations in Ephesians 4:26 say, "Be angry," and then it is immediately followed with two critical points: 1) Do not sin, and 2) Don't let the sun go down on your anger. In other words, anger can easily foreshadow sin, and it should be brief. It is also important to consider this verse in context. It is a letter written to the church about the church. Before this, Paul talks about the importance of unity, peace, gentleness, and patience. Then when he says to be angry, he is addressing the occasional, inevitable anger between believers involved in ministry together over time. However, his point is not that we should be angry people; his point is the importance of righteously and urgently resolving it. Then in verse 29, it says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
This church perspective also helps us understand Jesus's anger. Some historical study reveals that the secular world was engaged in all sorts of debauchery and sexual sin during Jesus's ministry, but when does he get angry? When those who claim to represent God are focused on minutia rather than ministry, when people get caught up focusing on earthly concerns rather than godly ones.
Fortunately, we can make a choice. We can choose where to place our focus. We can engage in real purpose. We can choose to work toward greater acceptance of things we can't change and work toward changing the things we can. We can choose to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. I like this sentiment from Hungary's Luca Hamori, the next boxer who will face Khelif. She doesn't get to choose whether she faces Khelif or not — they are scheduled to fight on Saturday either way — she only gets to choose her attitude. She said, "If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me if I win."
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