READING: Proverbs 14-19
Before my dad became a believer at age 71, he dealt with quite a temper. Becoming a grandpa prior to his conversion also helped calm his temper at times, but I have a lot of difficult memories of angry eruptions—sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. As I look back, I can find no good in those moments when my dad did not control his emotions. What I saw was the truth of the writer of Proverbs: “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict” (Prov 15:18).
What I must admit is that I carry my dad’s temper in me. I work really hard under God’s grace to keep it under control, though. I don’t always succeed in my weakest moments, but my overall goal is to reflect the second part of Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one slow to anger calms strife.” I desire to be a faithful, calming influence in a world that’s already too angry and divided—and I pray the Lord gets me there.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you have issues with anger?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, use me to calm strife today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 20-25