People with understanding control their anger;
a hot temper shows great foolishness.
Proverbs 14:29 NLT
Watching my boys play makes me feel like a referee. I spend most of my waking hours keeping them from getting into danger and, more recently, getting angry with each other. I find myself instructing them to apologize and forgive each other. My oldest questioned me why I always made him forgive his brother when he’s never seen me apologize. Ouch. Nothing like honesty from a child to leave you speechless.
It took me a few moments to gather myself, but his observation had some merit. I’m not as quick to forgive as I instruct my children to be. My frustration is usually suppressed and I don’t necessarily forgive the other party. And you know what grows in my heart? Offense… Pain… Grudges… Although, I don’t have a hot temper; I was not being wise in controlling my anger.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (NLT).” If you’re quick to forgive, there’s no time for the offense to take root in your heart. Who wants their life to be determined by a laundry list of offenses??? Not me, and hopefully, not you. Let’s commit to remembering to not only control our anger but to quickly forgive others.
