Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
These verses bring me back to our discussion last night regarding the Spirit. If I am patient, if I listen for and listen to God’s Spirit in me, I am more apt to understand, and more apt to be a calming influence in a quarrel. If I react without thinking or without stopping to listen for God, I am certain to look foolish, and may make things worse. It is too easy to act without stopping for direction. God’s Spirit in me is ALWAYS available, 24/7.
Holy Father, you are always available for direction. I need only to stop and ask, and then to listen. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
Proverbs 14: 29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Proverbs 15: 18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Anger is rarely a helpful emotion. A wise person will be very slow in letting anger develop. I find that when I do have a quarrel, the angrier I become I lose sight of what the quarrel was really about. What I am learning is that since it takes two to fight, I do attempt to not let the issue draw me in. I am not always successful, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, I am getting better. I now notice what I am…
Proverbs 14:29, 15:18
Both of these verses say the same thing to me – a quick temper does not allow a person to think clearly. If you are angry and yelling at someone you cannot see anything but your side of things. It takes patient consideration of all sides of an issue to calm a quarrel. This is so obvious to me while sitting here thinking about it. I have taken both paths on many occasions, and as hard it can be sometimes, I know patients is the only way.
Dear Lord, help me to listen to your Spirit within me and not react without your guidance. Amen.
Proverbs 14:29 and 15:18 People who are patient control their anger. A hot temper shows great foolishness. A hot tempered person starts fights, a cool tempered person stops them. Anger is often born of impatience and frustration and a lack of self-control. I can remember, as a child, my grandmother and mother would have me count to 10 slowly. This time often helped me control my anger. Today, you will often see a teacher of young children ask a child to take several big “belly breaths” to try to defuse a situation. Both these methods offer the person time to slow down and see the situation in a different light. These methods are the beginning of learning patience. As Christians, many of us…
Proverbs 14:29, 15:18
Having “been there and done that” more times than I care to remember, I can certainly attest to how foolish and pointless being hot or quick-tempered is. It virtually never achieves the desired end, always leaves scars and, as Scripture has taught me, grieves the Holy Spirit. I have also learned that without the Holy Spirit, I am powerless to control these human impulses. Staying filled is a minute to minute process that requires vigilance and discernment, but is worth the effort.
Prayer - Spirit of God, give me this day, the daily dose of patience and humility I so deeply need to more effectively share the love of Christ with others. Amen
TAA