Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
It’s funny how sometimes the holidays can bring out the worst in people. Perhaps you have visited or you will visit family or friends who tend to get under your skin this Thanksgiving weekend. It’s easy to get frustrated and annoyed and eventually lose your cool. But Solomon gives us some wisdom when it comes to anger: don’t be so easily irritated.
The person who allows anger to overtake him and who has little or no control over his emotions is a fool.
Rather than getting upset in the midst of conflict, the wise thing to do is to step back and ask yourself what you’re really angry about. If you’re angry about not getting your own way, then perhaps you should question why it is that you’re so prideful. If you’re angry that someone else is annoying, then pray and ask God to give you patience (just a word of caution: God really loves answering that particular prayer). Whatever the source of frustration, God will give you the grace to make it through. Don’t be a fool: take a deep breath.
Lord, we all face times when it’s easy to get frustrated or annoyed. Give us patience. Give us grace with one another and humility with ourselves. Let those who come in contact with us actually come in contact with You because the way we are treating them is a reflection of the way You have treated us.
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