It was 5:00 a.m. and all was quiet and peaceful as I began my morning devotionals. I was happy! That is until my daughter’s devil cat started banging her food bowl for the whole world to hear just because she was hungry.
I went from peaceful to completely angry in about a nanosecond. Everything about me changed and my joy was gone. Honestly, it was a totally stupid thing to get angry over but I did and I’m not proud of it.
Have you ever had times where it was difficult to control your temper?
If so, here are three verses on controlling your temper I think will help:
James 1:19 (NLT)
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
What would your relationships look like if you were good at all three of these?
If you were quick to listen you would have a better understanding of where the other person is coming from. Understanding is key to communication.
If you were slow to speak you would begin to evaluate your response and weigh it with kindness. A kind response brings peace to every relationship you have.
If you did the first two you would naturally be slow to get angry. I know, crazy right? You never go wrong by being slow to anger.
James 1:20 (NLT)
Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Too many times in our life we feel that we have the right to be angry. No doubt there are things in this world that should cause us anger – Things like human trafficking, abortion and Chick Fil A being closed on Sundays, just to name a few.
Chances are that’s not what you get angry about. If you’re like me you get angry over selfish things and personal opinions, right?
This verse teaches that this does not bring about anything God would desire for your life. Don’t do it!
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
This is one of my favorite verses because it really deals with the root of our anger problems- being offended.
When you look over an offense and respond with patience instead of anger you’re giving glory to God and bringing glory on your life.
You should read that last sentence one more time.
I’m praying that these three verses on controlling your temper will take hold of your life. I know they will change your relationships.
P.S. – I fed the cat.
