Hatred is Poison
Once it manifests, anger should never be allowed to fester into a deep-seated hatred, loathing or grudge that slowly destroys any hope for true reconciliation.
This was initially written as a letter to my brother-in-law who’s currently serving as a Missionary for our Church. Strong Religious themes are prevalent all throughout.
Elder,
Life during Corona is certainly intriguing at the very least. Nikki and I, like many others, had to adjust to not going out and instead spend 100% of our time indoors. It’s been quite the challenge so much as an amusing experience.
For others though, it’s more of the first one. Depression and anxiety has never been more prevalent and roughly 75, 000 “deaths of despair” are projected to result from being isolated away from others for an extended period of time.
Nikki and I aren’t immune to this. At one point or another, we were experiencing episodes of anxiety ourselves. The house suddenly felt smaller, the air within our breathing space suddenly tighter, and I was feeling a restlessness that could not be quenched.
Don’t worry though, Nikki and I are all good now. We quickly overcame it and are just thriving with our new setup. We find ourselves more productive and even more motivated than we have been in a long time, to work hard and reach our goals.
I noticed that you’re nearing the end of your missionary service. How is everything going for you? Do you feel any different from when you first came out? Are you excited to go back to the real world?
Whatever it is you decide to do, always know that you have our support.
I just wanted to quickly share with you this thought I’ve had for quite a while now — hatred is poison.
Life is replete with hurtful experiences, often caused by someone or something. Especially in the case of another person, one would argue that it is the victim’s right to be angry with the individual or group who has wronged him. The world certainly would back that claim.
If you really think about it too, barring religious morals and conservative beliefs, it does seem to be the case. Even as a devout Latter-day saint, you’re likely to find yourself at the very least, empathizing with the victim; especially when the latter has undergone a serious case of abuse.
But what does the Gospel really teach about the topic? Does it really condemn being angry? If yes, would there be an instance where we actually condone it?
I thought about this a great deal and each time, I’m reminded of one account in the New Testament where Jesus clears the temple of the money changers and animal vendors.
John’s account reads:
“And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”
John 2:15–16
We can observe that The Lord was certainly angry at the irreverence that he was witnessing at the temple, which caused him to drive away all these vendors. He could simply not tolerate any of this being done inside His Father’s house.
But one thing’s for sure, he didn’t hate or possess a deep loathing for any of these vendors. We all know how infinite His Love is for every single member of the human family. Unfathomable, but true.
It’s okay to be angry, but never hate. And once anger manifests itself, it should always be steered towards the development of pure love for whom we are angry at; never to be allowed to fester into a deep-seated hatred, loathing or grudge that slowly destroys any hope for true reconciliation.
This is the punchline.
And don’t get me wrong, it’s undoubtedly a difficult one, especially in times when someone does something “unforgivable” to us. We find ourselves wanting nothing but ill to befall such a “despicable human being”.
Nevertheless, it remains a divine directive to forgive and love; even a critical step we must take towards the path of perfection and true freedom.
Giving in to hatred does nothing more for the individual than eat away at his humanity, corrupting him from the inside and slowly turning him into an unrecognizable creature that’s hostile in every way — a true poison.
I hope you’re doing fine over there. Take good care of yourself and please don’t catch the Coronavirus!
Much love,
Owen
