31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 19 - Anger

source Microsoft Office.com

Proverbs 19 has some really good advice about anger:

11 -  People with good sense are slow to anger,
    and it is their glory to overlook an offense.

19 -  A violent-tempered person will be punished;
    if you try to save him from it, you make things worse.

Have you ever been around someone who is easily angered?  Are you one with a quick temper?  

I remember seeing a man bang his coffee cup on the table because the waittress wasn't timely enough in bringing his refill.  I knew immediately he was not wise.  

There are people who love quarrelling and drama.  They seem to thrive on it.  If they don't have any, they will create it by picking fights.  These are foolish people.

Verse nineteen says a violent-tempered person will be punished.  We do well to pay attention to this advice, and avoid such people.  The road these people walk is rough, and trouble follows them wherever they go.  They seem to go from one crisis to another, and you will be drawn into their troubles if you keep company with them.  

This, I know from experience, because I come from a family of people like this.  Every family gathering ends in some sort of drama.  Angry words, hurt feelings and shunning - all have been and still are the norm for these people.  

Yes, the things I described were passed on to me because I grew up in such an environment.  I wanted to learn new ways of coping with life. I cried out for wisdom, ecause of the grace of Hashem, I was led to a new way of living.  I was very foolish in my youth, but I have learned to control my anger by turning to Him, and asking for His strength, and the right thoughts.

I've learned to look over an offense and to forgive.   A wise person once told me that holding on to unforgiveness is like holding onto a hot coal.  The only person it hurts is me.  I received that wisdom and it has served me well.

I've also learned to look at angry, foolish people as ill.  I wouldn't be angry with or fight with someone who was in a hospital bed.   I ask G-d to show me how to be helpful to them.  Overlooking their offense is part of that.  

Yes, there is a time to be angry, and there is a time to take action against evil, but in most cases, just letting things go is the best choice.  G-d will deal with people like this in His time, and in His own way. 

Recognizing angry, foolish people goes a long way toward having a peaceful life.  This is why Proverbs is so valuable to the young, in order for them to choose good friends and companions.  Just look at this wonderful promise:

 23 The fear of Adonai leads to life;
    one who has it is satisfied and rests untouched by evil.

Fearing Him is believing and obeying him, as you would a loving father who has your best interest at heart.  These wise teachings are priceless for the young as well as the mature.  I could have avoided many problems had I learned these lessons early.  

As a leader and a mentor of younger women, I advise them to read Proverbs daily and to apply these precious gems of wisdom.  I know we will be blessed and satisfied when we obey Him.

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Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".