September 28, 2025

Recently, someone hurt a person that I love dearly. I did not tolerate it well. As it turns out, it is very hard to comfort someone you love when you are angry. If it so happens that your loved one is also angry…. well folks, this situation is not a formula for success. Meaningful, loving conversation goes out the window, and everyone loses. Only the anger wins. Sleepless nights and worry ensue, and your relationship with the one you care for begins to fray at the edges. How can this be true? If your anger, and that of your friend, was justifiable, how can the relationship be hurt if both of you are angry at the same person for the same reason? Well, I now know why. It is because your combined anger leaves no space for rational thought, kindness, and maybe even concern for the “bad guy”. Let me be clear: I am not referring to anything where a law was broken and/or someone was the victim of actual physical and emotional harm. I am referring to an incident involving hurt feelings. Most of us have experienced this first-hand, and as much as it hurts, it is so much worse if a friend or loved one is the person hurt. Anger, no matter how normal a reaction it is, serves no purpose. Rising blood pressure and pulse, along with an unattractively red face, has never yet solved a problem. If one can just take a breath, PRAY, try to focus on a solution, PRAY, consider the position of all involved, PRAY, then at least the possibility of a resolution exists. There are times when we all must play offense instead of defense. Jesus Christ showed us how when he cleared the temple of the evil moneychangers. For mere humans such as us, it is best to not react immediately. Wait a few days and allow your logical mind to function at its best. Then, with continuing prayer, move forward as an adult Christian with the mature response you have decided on. Remember: God never promised us an easy life. But He did give us the tool to handle life’s hurdles – PRAYER.

Blessings,
Martha Arizpe, St. John’s Prayer Team