"Why are you so angry?"

Thanks, Billy Sunday! What a wonderful way to begin a conversation with an angry person!

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We would hear our precious retired pastor friend ask this question, "Why are you so angry?" when certain angry individuals would come up to our evangelistic free book table in the public square and try to cause us trouble.  

His question never failed to diffuse the anger in the persons who were the troublemakers.  

So many times the person would begin to share with this pastor about the things which made him angry, and what came out eventually was the person was angry at God.  What a great place to begin to explain the gospel!

One other time a particularly angry student who was a frequent book table visitor came up once again to argue.  We did not argue, but discuss, and aim individuals to the Word.  This always infuriated this certain student.  

This time "J" stated his false claim against the Bible, and my beloved said to him, "Did you know that the Bible talks about you, "J"?"

"J" tipped his head and was actually curious, asking where.

My Beloved turned to Romans 1 showing it to "J" while he recited Romans 1:18-32:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

because that which is known about God is evident within them; 

for God made it evident to them. 

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, 

His eternal power and divine nature, 

have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, 

so that they are without excuse. 

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, 

but they became futile in their speculations, 

and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Professing to be wise, they became fools, 

and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God 

for an image in the form of corruptible man 

and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures...."

It was one of the few times that this student did not leave angry, but instead contemplated, agreed, and left.  I do believe it was just what he needed to hear. 

Still praying for our "J".