Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 16
Gold Nugget
Verse 32: He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Commentary
I have worked for years in the industrial field and have installed hundreds of safety valves. A safety valve is designed with a set pressure at which it will open and release it's pressure and contents, either to atmosphere or into a controlled location. It is commonly installed in pipe systems, tanks, vessels, etc. If you want to see what one looks like, take a look at your water heater. There will be a small brass valve on the side near the top or directly on the top. All of us have a "set pressure" at which we must vent. If we do not have a "safety valve", when we reach that point we will rupture or explode.
My safety valve works like this; when I am under heat or pressure to the point that I may rupture, I shut down the entire system. I don't try to back the pressure down, adjust the heat or anything to moderate or control it. I just shut the whole thing down. I will walk away, completely stop talking or some equivalent. Over the years, the Lord as steadily adjusted that set pressure to allow me to handle more heat and pressure before I need to vent. I'm not talking about an unhealthy "holding things in", but a healthy resistance to anger.
"...God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13b)
Prayer
Lord, please help me to learn to be slow to anger. I know that I must practice self control and be able to endure more challenges or even conflicts with people without exploding or rupturing. Help me to remember that how I react to these things can damage my testimony or bring glory to you. I want to be able to endure hardships and bring glory to your name.
Amen
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