Two-minute read.
As a person who has struggled with anger issues in the past, today’s verse holds a special place in my heart. Memorizing the 22 words years ago, “slow to get angry,” always comes to mind when I’m faced with a tense situation. Anger rarely produces good fruit, often destroying relationships and causing irrevocable harm. By not speaking, we don’t say things we regret, and when we take the time to listen, we’ll often learn that the person’s complaint has more to do with an issue they struggle with than with something we have done.
Recently, a friend got upset with me because I didn’t do things the way she wanted. When she first started unloading on me, it took me by surprise. Out of nowhere, she began ranting about something completely out of my control. Once she realized I hadn’t caused the problem, she changed her tone and started attacking me from a different angle. Eventually, I discovered her ugly words had nothing to do with me and everything to do with her. She had an agenda I knew nothing about, and because the events hadn’t happened as she expected, she couldn’t complete her desired schedule.
During that period of listening to her rant, I prayed for guidance and words from above. Nothing came to me, so I took God’s silence as a cue to stay silent and not engage. Amazingly, I didn’t get angry at her words but recognized they had more to do with her issues than anything I had done. Not speaking helped minimize the situation, not adding fuel to the fire of her words. The few times I spoke only caused another unexpected tangent, so I remained silent and counted down the moments until I could leave, extricating myself from the situation.
Listening in that moment allowed me to discern the truth. Not speaking helped me inject calm into the situation, and not taking her words personally and not getting angry kept the moment from escalating further. By allowing the Lord to lead my actions, I managed to keep my emotions under control, not say anything I regretted, and extricate myself from the situation without causing any further damage. God reminded me, I’m the saved, not the Savior. He doesn’t expect me to fix people’s issues, but love them to the best of my ability, and sometimes, we must love from afar.
Listen well, speak less, and don’t get angry. Seek God’s guidance in tense situations and allow Him to guide you through the storm. You will salvage relationships, have fewer regrets, and enjoy the peace that surpasses all understanding when you do.
Journal Questions:
When have you not listened well, spoken too fast, and let your anger take control?
What can you do to put today’s verse into practice in your life?
When did you take James’ advice in a situation that helped you save the relationship?
Friendship Application:
Practice listening more, speaking less, and staying calm.
