There is much debate in this nation as to how words can stir up anger, hatred and strife. This is such a powerful truth. Proverbs 15:18 (AMP) says: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.” Another version (AMPC) says: “he who is slow to anger appeases contention”. When we let anger take over our mental and emotional states, it removes the logical and common sense filters that allow us to “think before speaking or acting”. We then go on a word or action tirade, and once it’s finished, the damage is done. We have probably hurt others with our words or actions, and might even have destroyed relationships. In some cases, people can lose their job, their spouse, a friend, and in some cases, even land in jail for hurting or even killing someone in a fit of rage. Ephesians 4:26 (EHV) says:“ Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. It’s not a sin to be angry. What is a sin is if you allow your anger to control your actions, thoughts and decisions, thus causing you to do things that are sinful in nature. Anger can be used constructively. You can break a bad habit if you get angry enough to begin the process of breaking the habit. In many cases, people will not do anything about a problem until they have had it and they can’t take it any more. Anger is a good servant but a bad master. So instead of immediately giving in to anger, be slow to anger. Let patience have it’s work in the midst of the challenges of life. In doing so, you will be known as the person who can appease or calm potentially dangerous contentions and disputes. This way, issues will be resolved instead of relationships being destroyed. God is the God of peace, not of dissension and contention! We are His people, so let’s flow with His nature!
This is so important that the Lord Jesus Christ practiced it Himself!
The scriptures reveal the importance of taking responsibility for your life and mission. God gave Adam the responsibility to tend and keep the garden. Yet when it was time to protect the garden Adam did not do so. When God asked Adam why he disobeyed and allowed Eve and himself to be deceived, Adam simply answered, “The woman you put here with me–she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it” (Gen 3:12 – NIV). Adam refused to take responsibility for his actions, and instead blamed someone else for his own disobedience.
In contrast, the Lord Jesus took responsibility for creation and served us all with love and sacrifice. And we recognize that because of these actions, His Name is great, and His leadership is legendary and priceless.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” — Phil 2:5-11 (NIV)
You cannot lead others, until you are ready to lead yourself. You cannot become a public success, until you are a success privately.
Here are some things that you should consider today:
- You only reap what you sow. Your daily habits are the catalyst for what you now have or possess. Change your daily habits, and you’ll eventually have different results. This is a no–brainer!
- The blame-game will always hurt you. Stop blaming others for what you are responsible for. If you are always late, take it from me, it’s not the train’s fault. Get up ½ hour later. Go to sleep earlier. Turn the TV off earlier. Use the DVR and watch programs at another, more convenient time. Adjust your schedule accordingly, and you’ll get to work on time, right?
- Begin the discipline to reading the scriptures and other quality books that contain the wisdom you need in your chosen endeavor. Something happens to you, your world view, your conversation, and even your attitude when you daily take in God-> When I became a pastor, I began to hang out with successful pastors, and study all that I needed to be a successful pastor. I am still doing this. My parents always told me ”Let me see who you hang out with, and I’ll tell you who you are.” Simple wisdom, but boy, are they correct.
- Ask yourself the sincere question: Am I doing all I can to resolve this issue in my life, or am I making excuses so that I don’t really have to take responsibility for this issue. The answer might surprise you.
Self-discipline in your private life results in your public life’s success and will enable you to influence and lead others effectively. So many people work hard on unnecessary projects and ideas that will not matter a year later. The most important thing however, is to work on you. Everything else will work itself out when you decide to become the best you can be.
Applying wisdom to everyday life for extraordinary results,
Victor Nazario
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