A Popeye Moment for Good: What Will You Stand For?

What do you do when you’ve "had all you can stands, and you can’t stands no more”? While Popeye turned to spinach, history teaches us that righteous anger, properly channeled, can create transformative change. Take Martin Luther King Jr., for instance. 

Rev. King couldn’t stand racial injustice. Fueled by what he called the tension between “ought-ness” and “is-ness,” King became an unstoppable force for civil rights. His marches, speeches, and unwavering dedication transformed anger into love-driven action, moving the needle toward equality. It wasn’t easy—he endured attacks and bomb threats and ultimately gave his life. Yet his passion sparked a movement that changed the world.

Anger often gets a bad rap, and for good reason. Left unchecked, it can cost us relationships, jobs, and peace of mind. Proverbs 29:11 cautions us: “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” But not all anger is destructive. When we channel it wisely, anger can energize us to confront what’s wrong and fight for what’s right.

What can’t you “stands” anymore? Hungry kids in our community? Families struggling to make ends meet? God often uses ordinary people with extraordinary passion to reverse destructive trends and bring about healing and hope.

Perhaps your Popeye Moment is just around the corner. When that moment comes, lean into it. You might discover a strength you never knew you had that can make a lasting difference for good. Will you stand up and act?




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