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!
Patience, my dear friend!
Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It is also part of our journey to maturity. If you think about it, most things in life that have great value need for you to have patience in order to acquire it, ie: future spouse, college degree, a good meal that takes a long time to cook, losing 50 pounds, your once a year vacation, etc. Most people understand that, yet most are terribly impatient, and in the process, make many mistakes because they refuse to wait until the right time, or until they are truly prepared for it. Romans 15:5 says: “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.” God is patient and longsuffering with us. We have to determine to be patient in our journey as well. When we move too quickly, we can actually sin, and miss our true mark. Abraham was impatient with God’s promise, and instead of waiting for the manifestation of the promised child, he went ahead and had a child with another woman. This decision is still creating great problems around the world. Patience is deciding not to jump into something just because everyone else is doing it. It’s deciding to hold your actions, decisions and energy until the right time and place that will reap the maximum benefits for all. That my dear friend, is true maturity and power!
James 1:4 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
