PROVERBS 29
When reading Proverbs 29, I caught onto a theme of how to handle anger and frustration. Verse 8 says that the wise turn away anger. Verse 11 reads that the wise bring calm whereas the fool vents his rage. Verse 20 instructs us not to speak in haste, verse 22 tells us that angry and hot-tempered people stir up conflict and commit many sins, and verse 23 warns against pride, which is often a precursor to anger and argument.
We all encounter trying situations. We all have tense moments in which we want to scream into a pillow or go for a run or do whatever helps us to cool off. Proverbs 29 instructs us to keep a cool head and turn away from anger. I remember a scene from a movie or television show (although for the life of me, I can’t remember the source) in which a character is stressing out. Another character instructs her to take 3 deep breaths, saying that in the time it takes to complete those 3 breaths, she will stop herself from doing or saying anything she may later regret.
At some point or another, we all get angry. In these times, it is important to know how God instructs us to handle ourselves. I had a classmate in college who would pray for the class before every exam. She always ended her prayers by asking the Lord to keep us calm, cool, and collected during the stress of the exam. Three deep breaths. Calm, cool, and collected. When on the verge of having an outburst, remember to be the wise man and bring calm. Be wise and turn away anger. Don’t speak in haste. Lean on the Lord and His teachings, even in tense moments. Three deep breaths allows for enough time to reflect back on these verses.
-Megan Bryant
Seek Grow Love 