Emotional Control in a Troubling World
There are times when we all struggle with anger—whether it's a minor irritation or a more overwhelming situation. Unfortunately, reacting with harsh words or actions often leaves us feeling guilty and ashamed in the long run. It's commonly said that holding onto anger is like gripping a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone else, only to burn yourself instead.
Similarly, storing anger within ourselves is like keeping acid in a vessel—the longer it stays, the more damage it causes internally. Anger can be deeply harmful to our well-being.
I recently came across Lynda Hudson's work on controlling anger, which I believe is a valuable resource for parents looking to teach their children how to manage their emotions. It’s important, especially in light of recent events, to understand the importance of emotional control.
On July 15th, a tragic incident occurred in Tennessee where a 12-year-old was charged with murder. She was accused of suffocating her 8-year-old cousin over an argument about an iPhone. The entire incident was caught on a security camera, showing the older child using bedding to smother her cousin as she slept in the top bunk. According to District Attorney Frederick Agee, the juvenile even attempted to clean up the scene and reposition the victim’s body afterward. It's deeply unsettling to consider how a child of that age could engage in such behavior and even tamper with evidence.
Incidents like this underscore the dangers of a lack of boundaries and exposure to inappropriate content. When children are allowed to watch violent movies or consume content that normalizes unethical behavior—such as pranks involving tampering with food—it can have serious consequences. Even if these pranks are meant as jokes, they send the wrong message to our youth, potentially desensitizing them to harmful actions.
Content creators have a responsibility to emphasize that such behavior is unacceptable in real life. By promoting responsible conduct online, they can help shape a positive and ethical environment for the younger generation.
Finally, it is crucial for parents, teachers, and religious leaders to actively teach children how to manage their emotions, respond to others with kindness and patience, and build emotional resilience. By doing so, we can guide our children to become compassionate and understanding individuals who are not controlled by anger.
