I've been grinding my teeth a great deal lately due to my frustration (and outright rage) with some people's decisions. At least two events (which I am not sure I have the right to discuss publicly) this past week have had my anger at a roiling boil. I am so furious that I am struggling with even the idea of being civil with these people when I see them, and I WILL have to see them this week (note: I'm not referring to any of my students even if there have been some poor decisions there too).
That said, today's sermon helped to cool me a bit. It's important for me to work with others even when people do things that have me seeing red. It too easy to revel in wrapping my righteous indignation around myself like a warm blanket. I get too much pleasure from the sweet, burning gall that rises as I contemplate future confrontations where I allow myself to release the full extent of my fury. However, hatred spawns more hatred while compassion can bring about forgiveness and reconciliation.