PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• In Proverbs 29:11, it says, “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.”
Y’all, I wish I could say I was wise all the time.
So many times I’ve wished I could learn to just shut up and take the time to process emotions before I react to them.
Can any of you relate?
How do you feel when you read a verse like this?
I look at it and I think about the times I’ve seen others fly off the handle.
And I can see how out of control and unreasonable those people looked in the moment.
And I think about the times I’ve lost it.
How stupid I felt letting my emotions get the better of me while knowing I looked foolish and out of control.
Of course, the irony of that self-awareness is that it makes you more angry — at yourself!
When my husband and I were first married, I had a really bad habit when we had an argument.
I’d stand up and rage my feelings and opinions and then storm out of the room in righteous indignation, making sure I had the last word.
My husband finally confronted me about my way of dealing with my anger and he was right…
(I know my husband is smiling as he reads this because he loves it when I say that! Wayne was right!!! Haha!)
He was absolutely correct in his assessment, and with that awareness, any arguments we’ve had since have been far more respectful and productive.
I will say, he’s still far better about it than I am, and thankfully, any arguments are few and far between.
James 1:19-20 says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”
Oh so much truth and common sense in these two verses!
But oh how challenging to actually apply it!
Our entitled society demands our own ways.
But that’s not even logical.
How can we collectively put all the “me’s” first and effectively exist together as “we?”
We can’t.
Because when it’s all about “me,” there’s no room for understanding another’s perspective during an argument or disagreement.
I wish I could tell y’all that I have this all figured out and if you follow this simple three-step plan, you’ll avoid future foolishness and be known for your wisdom.
But I definitely cannot.
All I can do is suggest prayer and for the Holy Spirit to hold His hands firmly over our mouths so we can listen more, try to understand, and have time to choose our words wisely and carefully away from the heat of the moment.
If that hasn’t motivated you enough, let’s look at Ephesians 4:26-27, which says, “And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
I think it’s apparent by the divisiveness in our country, broken relationships, and acts of terror that Satan doesn’t need any more ammunition from us.
I certainly don’t want to contribute to his mission to wreak havoc, hatred, or confusion.
Besides, I do know from the times I have gotten this right, it feels so much better than the foot-stomping tirade of anger-run-amok.
Today, as you pray, thank God for being slow to anger.
And ask the Holy Spirit to help you control your temper.
To embrace the wisdom of listening more and speaking less.
And ask Him to help you rise above Satan’s attempts to bring you down in moments of anger.
