This picture is one of my family taken at Christmas time 2007.
Slow To Anger
An important lesson my dad taught, me early in my life, was to think before speaking. There have been far too many of my students (during the 30 or so years that I was in the classroom), who truly needed to learn that lesson, but for one reason or another they had failed to learn it; usually they lacked a support system (living in a one parent household), or the family they had wasn’t Christ centered (other effects from these society woes, are better left to other blog enteries). Life’s lessons (how to live a Godly life) can not be taught in the classroom. They need to be instructed in the home. Each individual needs to have three strong pillars (mental, physical, and spiritual), this also holds true for small units in a society (family units), as well as communities in general. To cause someone to be angry because of unintended words, or to compound your own anger by eliciting a response from another by your own word or deeds, is often avoidable by carefully thought out responses to perceived negative behavior.
Proverbs 16:32 “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”- King James
It is the person who carefully considers their response, as they determine what would be most constructive and pleasing in God’s eyes (I use to love those bracelets; WWJD), who is often considered most wise.
James 1:19-20 “My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”- NIV
In closing, I encourage you to think every time before speaking.
Proverbs 12:18 “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
