Shouting

I watched a trailer for a well known UK TV soap, and there was a lot of angry shouting, screwed up faces and harsh words. Is it just me, or do you also think there is too much anger and yelling on our media? At least if you are reading a report, or a book, the closest you get to SHOUTING is putting the words in capitals!

This is not a new phenomenon. You will find it in most childrens’ TV too, and even on Disney and Nickelodeon where the main characters seem to spend the entire program shouting their lines at each other. No surprises then that our children and youth grow into the lifestyle where if they want to be heard or believed, they have to shout it.

There is a place for shouting, and a place to be quiet in our conversations. Otherwise our words can be lost if our voices are constantly raised. I remember working with a very quiet man, who could hardly be heard above the noise of a ceiling fan, but when I did hear him raise his voice, the words found their mark. Fortunately, this was a work environment and not personal, but it made me very aware of the effect our tone has when we communicate.

I think we need to take this on board as Christians, and take care not to shout people down in disagreement, but be calm and measured in our language. Perhaps these verses will help:

In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11 (btw the words ‘shout for joy’ are also translated as ‘sing’. Makes you think, doesn’t it?)