Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 23, 2017
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. Proverbs 15:18
Anger stirs up; patience calms down. Anger has an axe to grind; patience smoothes over offenses. Anger reacts in the moment; patience refrains to process. Anger rejects; patience accepts. Anger gets revenge; patience forgives. The goal of anger is to win the quarrel. The goal of patience is to win the relationship. “Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses” (Proverbs 25:15, TM).
My anger sometimes gets the best of me and I say things I later regret. This is when I can choose to humble myself and ask for forgiveness from my offenders, or I can ignore its injury and risk lingering hurts. Over time unresolved anger compounds into a crisis of trust, as anger invites insecurity. People avoid fools who are “an argument” waiting to happen.
“It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel” (Proverbs 20:3).
Patience is a peacemaker. It carries buckets of words and, like water, douses the flames of fury and rage. Patience is a prince of peace and a convener of calm conversations. Patience perceives the bigger picture of the Lord’s work and is not caught up in petty emotional outbursts. Because “love is patient” (1 Corinthians 13:4), it is a matter of loving people through their misfortune or misunderstanding. Love conquers, then calms.
Also, the Lord provides patience in prayer. When you silently wait before Him, He waits with you. It is a lesson in lingering before the Lord and listening to His intimate instructions. Prayer leads me to ponder, “Will I trust God and wait patiently, or will I, in pride, prove my point?” Christ calms me down so that I can patiently create a calm culture.
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7, NLT).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me patient love so I can help bring calm to my circumstances and relationships, in Jesus’ name, amen.Application
What situation do I face that needs me to hit the pause button and not react in anger?Related Reading
Psalm 140:2; Ecclesiastes 10:4; Matthew 5:9; 1 Timothy 1:16Post/Tweet today
Patience is a peacemaker. It carries buckets of words and, like water, douses the flames of fury and rage. #WisdomHunters #patientcalmWorship Resource
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This is just what I needed to read today. It hit home big time
Dear Shell,
We are grateful that the words in this devotional, “Patience Calms Down” touched your heart and we give all the glory to God for that! Isn’t it just amazing when HE puts the words, the people, the circumstances, or the HIS Word right in front of us when HE knows we need to see it? Thank you God for your Grace and Ever-Faithfulness!
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and we look forward to hearing from you again.
May God bless you,
Gwynne
“Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.” Psalm 72:18-19
A friend of mine posted this on Facebook several weeks ago. I signed up for your daily devotional email right after. I have come back to this reading several times since. As the single mother of a lost 21 year old who has veered away from all the good he was taught and a 16 year old testing my limits beyond what I think I can bear some days, I have found hope in this devotional. Probably 20 times a day I remind myself “anger seeks to win the quarrel, while patience seeks to win the relationship.” I desperately want to win the relationships with my boys and feel like I am competing against a world that basically says “anything goes.” Thank you for this devotional. I so desperately needed it.
Kim
Dear Kim,
Thank you for letting us know that this devotional touched your heart. We rejoice in the fact your Heavenly Father is walking beside you through these trials and you are never alone. He is the One who made sure you read those words about patience at the exact time He wanted you to read them. We give You all the glory, Father!
And WELCOME to the Wisdom Hunter’s family! I am thankful that your friend posted on FB and you found us. My hope is that there will be other devotionals that will “speak to you” in the future. Please keep in touch and let us know.
Kim, I understand how trying this time must be trying for you and I am so thankful that your sons have a Godly mom that prays for them and is striving to raise them up in the way of the Lord (especially in today’s culture). What a gift you are to these young men! They will realize that one day and be so thankful themselves. Please continue to stay in the Word and seek His guidance and grace!
We are grateful you are a part of the Wisdom Hunter’s family and look forward to hearing from you again.
May God bless you,
Gwynne
P.S. I would like to email you from gwynne@wisdomhunters.com with a few extra thoughts.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33