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Proverbs 19:11 NIV

I don’t get angry about much anymore. As a young man I would get angry when I perceived I was being wronged. The word perceived is important in that sentence. As I aged I began to see how very often my perception was skewed or even flat out wrong. For this and other reasons I find Solomon’s counsel in this verse very helpful in dealing with those times I initially feel wronged and tempted to get angry. One, it causes me to slow down and consider what is really going on. I try and see the situation through the eyes of Jesus and ask why are they doing what they are doing. That can bring a level of compassion and understanding that either quickly defuses the situation or prods me to move away from it. Secondly, I can regain a more realistic perspective and hence not overreact thereby intensifying the situation. I’ve never seen a positive outcome from anger, either for the person getting angry or the target of that anger. These days the things that use to get me angry more often than not make me sad. That tends to move me much quicker to prayer and compassion. Those seem to have a more significant effect on producing a godly outcome in me even if not in the other person. Today let understanding and patience go to work on your anger, it will bless the other person and bring you peace. #BeTheEdge

 

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬