Proverbs: Day 14 - Hold that Anger - [Chapter 14]

As I read further and further into the chapters of Solomon's wisdom, it occurs to me that he speaks on a number of different matters, but for some, there is a recurring theme.  Honesty, integrity, patience, humility just to name a few.  Being faithful and not following evil are also dominant themes for Solomon.  By now (if you've been reading along with me each day) you see the patterns of good behavior versus bad behavior.  Once again Solomon does not sugarcoat calling out bad behavior.  

Today I look at the matter of demonstrating restraint or patience in tough situations. These three verses guide me today: 

"The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,

but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure" - verse 16

"A quick-tempered person does foolish things,

and the one who devises evil schemes is hated" - verse 17

"Whoever is patient has great understanding,

but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." - verse 29

In verse 16, we read how foolish ways can lead to careless and reckless behavior that the person who participates in cannot see the dangers of their actions.  It's almost as if their eyes or their hearts are hardened to the truth of what they do.  Those who demonstrate wisdom are able to veer away from evil, but the foolish will become "hotheaded" and make rash choices which lead to baseless confidence that they are in the right.  

In verse 17,  again those who are quick to anger can make bad choices leading to wrong behaviors.  Doesn't really ring true in our daily walk?  I'm trying to remember the last time I was really steamed over something.  I can't even recall.  I'm sure there was something (perhaps that's another issue - selective memory).  At any rate, this verse presents a common character flaw in humanity... emotions with anger are a dangerous liaison.  If we allow our emotional responses to get the best of us, we can neither demonstrate restraint nor wisdom.  Both go out the window.

The last verse I selected speaks again of the virtues of being patient against the quick to anger personality.  Somehow, by allowing negative emotions to control our responses, we will find even more difficulty.

I don't believe for a moment that we should not allow anger to be a part of who we are.  In Ephesians 4:26, Paul writes “Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger."  I think the key is that anger will be a natural part of what it means to be human, but don't allow it to find a home.  Do everything in your power to make sure it is resolved before you lay down for the night.  Do not cherish the anger.  Do whatever you can to lay it down.