Fear in the Heart
In the time before check-engine lights, the most vital instrument monitoring the health of your car was the ammeter. This little dial measured electrical flow. That doesn’t seem all that important in, say, a Model A – which actually didn’t have any navigation system, touch screens, or Apple Car Play – but it was all you needed. If you shut off the car and the needle points straight up, you’re good. If it isn’t, some circuit is closed that shouldn’t be, and it’s drawing too much power. Maybe a headlight or brake light is on. Maybe it’s the generator cutout. Maybe it’s the 48-way adjustable, massaging seats – or, you know, maybe not.
That little needle is loudly shouting that something is wrong, but that’s all it can tell you. It can’t diagnose the specific problem.
Human emotion works the same way, actually. Some experts in the psychological community refer to emotions like anger as secondary emotions, which means they’re often felt as symptoms of a different emotion. You may feel anger as a symptom of loneliness: “He needs to call me more often!” or fear: “That political candidate is gonna lead our town/state/nation in the wrong direction!” Anger is your ammeter needle swinging one way or the other, telling you that something needs to be diagnosed and fixed.
Anger itself is not always a bad thing. In the Psalms, David gives some guidance on what to do with it:
“In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 4:4-5)
Because it’s such a strong emotion, anger can stimulate that fight-or-flight reaction, which can lead to a sin pretty quickly: Yelling, damaging relationships, road rage, soothing your pain in unhealthy ways, or blaming God. Instead, try putting a gap between what you feel and how you respond. Respond, don’t react. Listen to the Psalmist: search your heart for a minute. Try to diagnose it, and see if perhaps the anger is just like an ammeter, indicating a problem somewhere else. Trust God.
Yes, trust God. Trust is a verb, you know. God wants you to take steps to trust him, especially when you’re feeling strong emotions like anger. Here’s some guidance from Michael W. Newman, pastor, author, and church plant strategist: “As you fume in wounded distress, you are welcomed by God with open arms to pour out your soul and bring him your complaints. In your haze of questions and confusion, you are embraced by the One who is your help in times of trouble and pain. Anger is a turbulent and terrible place to reside, but God promises to be your abiding hope in that neighborhood of pain.”
Listen. Name your feelings. Talk to God, who has given you a heart that feels, a mind that can interpret those feelings, and a community of people waiting to help you process your feelings. There’s a great open road ahead of you. You got this.
When you’re driving your Model A, the ammeter needle wiggles to and fro like a living thing. Every time you press the gas pedal, it should deflect to the right a little as the generator takes over the electrical load and provides charging current to the battery. Ford put the Model A’s ammeter near the driver’s right hand, next to the steering wheel and just ahead of the gearshift lever. No, you can’t fix the problem from the driver’s seat. But you can get a good indicator that something isn’t working right, and needs a thorough look before you get back to motoring.
John V16 is the confluence of God and cars. Please support our work and donate a V16-powered 1940 Cadillac Series 90 Sixteen to John V16. Or share this article with a friend.
