JANUARY 22, Proverbs 14:29

Examples of terrible consequences of bad temper abound: A fight broke out at a coffee shop when someone accidentally spilled hot coffee on a teenager. A driver punched another driver because the latter had cut into his lane without signaling. An unemployed man threw a toddler down a building after quarrelling with his uncle. All these news reports tell of the consequences of being quick to anger and not taking time to understand the truth.

Much trouble can be easily avoided if we control our temper. Proverbs 14:29 teaches us this fact. Do you know that God is slow to anger? He is so powerful that he can do all things at an instant yet He chooses to be slow to anger.

Why do you think God is longsuffering towards us even when we keep on sinning? It is because He loves us dearly and does not want to punish us straightaway. He is giving us time to repent and to return to worshipping Him. As sinners, we all deserve death right away but God is patient and kind. He is full of mercy. However, God is also a fair and just judge. There will be a time when He will show His wrath or extreme anger. Look at the great earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and nuclear radiations. These are previews of even greater catastrophes to come!

Take time to understand God’s Word. The understanding of God’s love for you will make you slow to anger and keep you from danger.

Fill in the missing letters:

1. ___ anger is a letter away from anger.

2. You will lose your ___ riends when you lose your temper often.

3. An ___ nderstanding person is slow to anger.

4. No one can withstand the ___ rath of God in the last days of the world.

Thought: A person who is quick to anger is foolish.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, teach me to be like You. Help me to be understanding so that I will not have a bad temper. It is hard not to get angry sometimes, but with Your help, I know I can also be slow to anger. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.