Charity is Not Easily Provoked

[Anonymous]

My resolution this month is to be less easily provoked, taken from 1 Corinathians 13:5.

This resolution appears to be very straight-forward. To provoke means:

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to anger, enrage, exasperate, vex or cause resentment

Therefore, to be provoked means:

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to react in anger, rage, exasperation, vexation or resentment

Perhaps the only thing that jumps out at me immediately from this definition is that charity not being easily provoked includes much more than just “being angry”. In fact, unlike the previous characteristics in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and the Sermon on the Mount, it doesn’t appear to be about “being” at the most fundamental level. Rather, it is about “doing” – or, more precisely, “reacting”. It occurs when someone or something (e.g., a situation) acts in a way that bothers me and I react in a way that is responsive to my being upset at that person or situation. It is acting in the heat of a negative emotion.

Even more inportantly, it also includes what we naturally might consider to be less harsh reactions than hate, anger or rage – since exasperation, vexation and resentment also are included. With that in mind, 2 Nephi 2:14 says:

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And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

What I take from this is quite elemental, but it is not something I have considered previously in the following exact words:

If I am to be less easily provoked at the end of this month than I am at this moment (which is my resolution), I will need to choose my actions consciously and intentionally (“act”) in ALL situations and avoid allowing myself to act without thought and intention when I feel a negative emotional reaction (“being acted upon”) – especially at those times when that negative emotion is particularly strong.

Further, and perhaps most importantly, I do not need to seek for these experiences. They happen regularly simply as a result of mortality. I don’t have to pursue them; they will find me completely on their own – and it is when they are unexpected that my growth or lack thereof will be manifested.

(Also, this resolution appears to be related closely to the characteristic of peacemaking in the Sermon on the Mount – and I will be reviewing the posts I wrote two years ago about peace as I continue to consider this month’s resolution. Perhaps the “being” simply is developing and maintaining internal peace and calm, even amid the storms of life.)

[Anonymous]

Ray, what I like about this thought is that it is not passive.

Many times in my life I have tried to exercise charity by taking blows from others and not reacting, turning the other cheek.

However, there are appropriate times when action is needed, just charitable action with restraint on my emotions.

Having charity doesn’t necessarily mean passive and weak. Something for me to consider and work on.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Heber. I hadn’t put it in those words, but I like it.

I’m dealing with a situation right now that has challenged me to not be provoked unduly, and what you just said might be the difference I need to address it properly today. Inspired or not, thank you for writing what you did when you did.

[Author]

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