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!
Is it an opportunity or a crisis?
Opportunities and crises sometime look very similar. When the twelve spies came back to give their report to all the Israelites, ten of them said that they simply could not take the land because giants were present. Two of the spies said the land was delightful and they were ready to take the land. For the ten spies, it had become a crisis. for Joshua and Caleb, it was a lifetime opportunity. Proverbs 10:5 says: “Know the importance of the season you’re in and a wise son you will be. But what a waste when an incompetent son sleeps through his day of opportunity!” A crisis or an opportunity is a time when a decision has to be made. There has to be some kind of change, shift or action to be able to resolve the crisis, or to take advantage of the opportunity. Crises many times arise because of bad decisions or past bad management of our resources. The good thing is that crises can be moments for course correction. If we do heed the moment and “course correct,” we can effectively come out the better for it. If we embrace the opportunity, we can greatly profit from actively engaging in the right time and season. Whether it is a crisis or an opportunity, our actions will determine whether we leave that experience in victory or defeat, with more or less, with great memories or regrets. Well, is it a crisis, or an opportunity?
