Day 10

Day 10 – August 17th, 2021 – Connie Johnson

Proverbs 14:29-30 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

Have you ever gotten mad at someone about something, only to find out later that all was not as it seemed? Maybe there was just a small piece of information that would have made you rethink your emotional response to the situation. Maybe it would have saved a friendship, a job, or a relationship with a family member. A hot head and a quick temper is a sure sign of a fool but a cool head and self-control is a sure sign of a righteous person. God knows we are emotional creatures. I think He gave Solomon this scripture as His perfect reminder that we need to slow our emotions, get all the facts, and pray for God’s wisdom before we make a decision on where we stand. Anger is not always wrong, there is righteous anger but we need to be sure that our anger is justified. In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus compares unjustified anger to murder. The second verse tells us that we can live in contentment when decisions are made with all the facts and God’s holy guidance. Our hearts can be tranquil and content. Anger and envy both have serious results not only spiritually but also physically. When stress levels rise, so does blood pressure, heart rate, you can’t sleep, you eat poorly – you are essentially ‘rotting your bones’. God is always here to guide us and give us wisdom in all situations, we just have to seek Him and listen when He speaks. 

Father, we pray for Your holy wisdom, for Your hand to guide us daily. Pull us back from unjust anger and envy Lord. Help us to live in peace with the contentment and tranquility that only You can provide. We know that we have fallen short of Your expectations and we have sinned Lord. We ask for Your grace and forgiveness. Please guide us and help us be more like Jesus. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.