Reading for Today:
Proverb Chapter 15
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
In a game during the 2010 NFL season, the Houston Texan’s
wide receiver Andre Johnson was involved in a fight on the football field.
Although he has a reputation of being a well-mannered player, he lost his cool and
reacted to an antagonizing player. The player admitted it was
his intentions to get to Andre. After being ejected from the game, Andre was later quoted as repenting of his
behavior and confessed it wasn't appropriate. Almost every announcer I heard in
the days after took the position of defending Andre’s actions and claimed the
other player deserved it. Even with such an outcry of support, Andre stuck to
his guns that he was wrong. I have a lot of
respect for this guy. Not just because of what an amazing athlete he is, but because of the character that he
continued to exhibit. Although he erred on that particular day, over all he
demonstrates today’s “gold nugget”, “He
who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit
than he who takes a city.”
Many of us would not have made it as far into
the game as Andre did before we would have lost our cool. Too often the
slightest injustice will put us to a boil. Should that person that cut me off
this morning upset me so much, so quickly? Should I get frustrated so easily
with my child or a coworker? Should we be so quick to get heated when it comes
to a conflict with our spouse? Where some foolish people believe jumping up
like a lion demonstrates strength and power, today’s scripture speaks
otherwise. It takes more strength and power to hold back anger than it does to
let it erupt. If you can hold your anger, you are mighty and able to take a
whole city. Taking on a squirrely little cornerback isn't going to prove a
thing and Andre Johnson knows that.
Prayer
Lord, thanks for
the reminder about what true might and power is. Although the flesh thinks an
outburst of prideful anger demonstrates power, holding back anger and having
rule over our spirit is the true demonstration of power and might. Amen
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