Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV
We’ve all experienced those outbursts of anger, anxiety, or fear. Before we move on, I want to emphasize that emotions are not inherently sinful. God did not make us robots, but created us emotional beings. He himself experienced a wide range of human emotions. The Gospels tell us his spirit was moved. Jesus wept, he was troubled, he groaned, he was troubled and greatly distressed. He felt joy, love, and compassion. He was consumed with zeal, indignant, and sorrowful. But Jesus never acted impulsively.
Emotions will rise and fall like a roller-coaster ride. That’s part and parcel of being human. The rub is what we do with those emotions and how we respond to triggers. In his Epistles, Paul often contrasts the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh tends to be impulsive, hasty, and out of control. Actions of the flesh often lead to feelings of regret, remorse, shame, or self-reproach.
As a kid, my mum used to tell me, “Take a deep breath and count to ten.” There is great wisdom in her advice. As followers of Christ, we are urged to practice self-control (I use the term ‘practice’ because I’ve discovered it takes a great deal of repetition as well as trial and error).
Paul Tripp suggests the following: “Displaying self-control is often a matter of responding rather than reacting. When we react to a situation, we let our emotions take control. We are more likely to become defensive and say hurtful things. Responding, however, involves developing a thoughtful response that is guided by reason more than emotions.” 1
The next time you find yourself in an emotionally charged situation, stop, think, and pray. Stop and take a deep breath. Think about your response: is it helpful or harmful? Does it align with Scripture? Then take it to your heavenly Father and ask Him to speak to your heart and mind. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him for self-control. Ask Him to show you how to respond in a way that is beneficial, effective, and appropriate for the circumstances.
Prayer: Today, I choose to live according to your Spirit, Lord. Help me to act, not on impulse, but in a way that aligns with your Word. Remind me that my testimony matters and place a guard over my mouth. In your name I pray, Amen.
Thought: “Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.”
― Max Lucado
1 https://www.gcu.edu/blog/spiritual-life/weekly-devotional-fruit-spirit-self-control#:~:text=We%20will%20wrap%20up%20the,other%20fruits%20in%20our%20lives.
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