When people are walking on the sidewalk they often feel more at ease and relaxed; many people enjoy this time and are able to stroll down the road. There is the need for caution and be alert of one’s surroundings when crossing streets or avoiding collision with other pedestrians. This is not to say that walking on the street cannot cause stress and frustration say when following a slow walker or getting stuck in a crowded area; however it is easier for one to remove themselves from these trying situations as a singular person is much smaller than a vehicle. There are many factors that can invoke road rage in drivers; traffic jams, reckless drivers, running late, etc. all of these situations can quickly switch someone’s mild-mannered temper into full on aggression. There are multiple social-psychological factors that can contribute to a person losing their temper while driving; a big factor could be a negative work experience. Say you had a really rough day at work; your boss was upset and assigned you hours of extra assignments all while criticizing you, this could cause the individual to want to rush home at the end of the day in hopes of turning their brain off work and relaxing. Then as you are dealing with all this frustration and negative thoughts, you encounter stand-still traffic, this is the final straw in your day and the individual just loses it. These factors have now contributed to a dangerous and rage-filled driver, who is more likely to speed, yell, and cut other people off (Disassa & Kebu, 2019). Road rage can happen to any person of any background, temperament, and religious beliefs. Sadly we can more than likely all recall a situation in which we can be frustrated and acted out in a way that we knew was not right in the Lord’s eyes. James 4:1-2 reads, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” This verse ties in the idea that external and internal social-psychological factors can cause us to act out and become frustrated while driving as well as in other areas of our life. We often take the stress and frustration we have built up inside of us and release it in negative situations rather than stepping back to think that maybe all these tribulations are for some small purpose for God. Road rage can often cause us to act, say, think, and express ourselves in ways that we know is unworthy; Ephesians 4:26 states, “In your anger, do not sin.” It can be hard to remain calm and not act aggressively when we are plagued with a difficult situation, however as Christians it is our duty to step back and remember we are children of God and therefore we must hold ourselves more accountable and understanding of those around us.
Question 1
Driving in traffic differs from walking on a crowded sidewalk in several ways. Firstly, driving involves operating a heavy and potentially dangerous machine, which adds an element of responsibility and risk. Unlike walking, driving requires adherence to traffic rules and regulations, which can increase stress and frustration. Drivers have limited control over the actions of other drivers, leading to uncertainty and potential conflicts. The enclosed car space also contributes to feelings of isolation and anonymity, allowing individuals to express their frustrations more freely (Chao et al., 2020). The social-psychological factors contributing to negative emotions while driving include perceived anonymity, competition for limited resources (such as road space), perceived violations of fairness and justice, and the feeling of losing control in a highly regulated environment.
Question 2
In the above scenario, several biblical principles can be applied:
1. Self-Control: The Bible encourages individuals to exercise self-control over their emotions and actions. This principle can be applied to drivers who may experience anger or frustration while behind the wheel. Proverbs 16:32 states, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
2. Love and Kindness: The biblical principle of love and kindness can be applied by showing consideration and respect towards other drivers. Matthew 22:39 instructs us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This includes being considerate on the road, allowing space for others, and refraining from aggressive or rude behavior (Gent, 2021).