An Angry Wind
O afflicted one, storm-tossed one, and not comforted, behold; I will . . . Isaiah 54:11
Storm-tossed One – Circumstances aren’t the only source of trauma in this world. The Bible recognizes that a lot of life’s pain comes from another kind of storm; the kind that we experience in the angry wind of human emotion. Sa’ar is the verbal root of this word. It is directly connected to the blowing of a violent wind. But when it is applied to human beings, it covers the range from angry hostility to forceful rejection. The storms that affect us the most are usually not developing tropical depressions. They are developing emotional agitations. Nothing hurts more than the pain inflicted by someone else’s rage.
God promises to wipe away all the tears. When justice finally comes, when the divine order of the universe is finally established, tears shed in sorrow and pain will be removed. We often think that this means God will take away the memories of those painful moments. I’m not so sure. There is a deeper sense of rejoicing in knowing why I no longer hurt. Perhaps the memory that the ballistic impact of anger has now been covered in grace will cause me to praise Him even more. At least this much is certain. My storm-tossed days will end.
Most Biblical writers have something to say about anger. Its pervasive treachery begins with Cain and continues throughout our history. In fact, given the obvious inability of human beings to gain control over the ill-wind of their emotions, we might suggest that the story of the human race is really one long case study in the psychology of anger. Personally, nationally and ethnically, anger pushes the world along its path to destruction. In one respect, sin is nothing more than anger toward God – anger that I can’t have it my way.
No wonder we experience such terrible trauma at the hands of the storm of anger. Centered in those outbursts is a violence against God’s created order. When anger attacks, it challenges the goodness of creation. It denies God’s blessing of approval. It demands a recall in the name of self-interest. That means it opposes the very essence of the way God made us. It levels the barrel right at the heart of the image of God and attempts to destroy it. Why? Because anger is the result of a denial of God’s sovereignty. Anger confronts Who God is and casts off His claim on life. Frank may sing, “I did it my way,” but that is the theme song of men who embrace anger as the fuel of life.
If you are storm-tossed, you know the outcome of this attack on God’s order. But what can you do? Isaiah tells us that God will act. That is the eschatological promise. But what about now, while the boiling sea of emotional outrage threatens to engulf me? For that, we need to see God in physical form. Jesus experienced this kind of storm, and He showed us how to deal with it. His answer is not one we expected nor one we happily embrace. But it is God’s answer – until He comes. “Love your enemies. Bless them and do not curse them. Turn the other cheek. Feed them. Give them something to drink. Lay down your life for them.” Then we will discover that Jesus is master of the storm as well.
