whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. [proverbs 24:19]
the proverbs provide us with wisdom of how to live in God’s world.
the problem is, they’re a general rule, not a prescription for guaranteed success and prosperity.
in this world, there are many things that happen that don’t make sense. bad things happen to good people, good people get sick, kindness is met with evil.
despite all of this, God is sovereign. he rules, he reigns, and he makes decisions that are above our understanding.
“[8] for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. [9] for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” -isaiah 55:8-9
so with all that being said, when we read this proverb i think we come to the same question that we have been wrestling with at matthias recently:
do you trust him?
do you trust him to be just rather than getting justice on your own. do you trust him to be righteous rather than you trying to be right on your own? do you trust him to be with you when you feel like you were wronged? do you trust him even if you react in a way that is slow to anger and you still end up hurt anyway?
because that’s what he’s calling us to do.
this proverb does not call us to never be passionate about anything, but it does call us to self-control (a fruit of the spirit).
i don’t know where you find yourself struggling with anger, but today is the day to address it. it starts with repentance to the Lord and asking for his Holy Spirit to cause your heart to be slow to anger. and it may also involve some repentance and conversation with a person. maybe it’s a husband or wife, a brother or sister, or a friend.
and may the power of the Holy Spirit in us allow us to show God’s love to the people around us as we react to situations differently than the world.
God, i plead that today is the day that we trust you when you call us to be slow to anger. transform our hearts to love instead of anger, to patience instead of haste, and peace instead of turmoil. show your love to those around us through us today, Lord.
amen.
john sandman