P is for Patience - (meditation by Pam)
Source: panhala.net |
Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
Proverbs 15:18
Proverbs 15:18
I speak from experience--it doesn’t take long for a disagreement
with someone who has a short fuse to spiral into an argument. Hot-tempered
people tend to jump to conclusions, rush to have their say (and way), and don’t
consider the consequences of their words or actions. It is hard to accept, much
less understand when someone we love loses his/her cool at us over minor
issues.
However, as God said through King Solomon, “Patience brings
peace.” It is easy to react with an equally hasty and negative attitude, but as
I have learned, this will only guarantee an argument. On the other hand,
staying calm and constructive can prevent arguments from escalating and will actually
serve as an example to the person.
Do you have a hot-tempered person in your life? Could you
use a little help in dealing with them? Here are four more tips on keeping your
cool:
WAIT AND PRAY. Individuals who get angry quickly usually
cool down just as fast. So when an encounter heats up, we need to silently seek
God’s leading while we wait for the person to calm down. We can avoid many
unnecessary arguments by asking ourselves, “Would it really be best to verbally
reciprocate? Will matching barb with barb accomplish anything?”
“If you are sensible, you will control your temper.
When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to
ignore it.”
Proverbs 19:11
DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. A short-tempered person gets bent
out of shape over insignificant issues—following a slow driver or misplacing a
book. The best way to deal with such behavior is not to react at all; remember,
it takes two to make an argument. If we try reasoning with them we will only make
the person angrier. Simply keep quiet and listen. Then ask questions to clarify
the matter before replying.
“After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent
if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut."
Proverbs 17:28.
CALL FOR A TIME OUT. Very often a short-tempered person will
go from aggravation over minor irritants to bigger issues that somehow end up
being the other person’s fault. At such times, it is easy to get into an
argument and only fair to defend ourselves. However, it is best to call for a
time out, explaining that although we are willing to try to understand the
person’s concerns, we both need to be in a calmer frame of mind to be able to
do that.
“The start of an argument is like the first break in a dam;
stop it before it goes any further.”
Proverbs 17:14
DON’T ENABLE. While patience and restraint are important in
dealing with a short-tempered person, we also need to draw the line somewhere. Increasing
episodes of shouting, breaking things or threats are unacceptable and leave us
feeling hurt, confused and even unsafe. If we excuse these bad behaviors the
person will repeat them. To stop them we have to let the person know that their
behavior has hurt us and, in order for things to work out between us, they must
learn to keep their tongues and actions under control.
“You have done all this, and I have said nothing,
so you thought that I am like you.
But now I reprimand you
and make the matter plain to you.”
Psalm 50:21
Though these suggestions appear simple, they are not easy to
implement; they depend on the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Thank God for the
power of prayer!
Reflection on Proverb by Pam Williams, member of 1st Writes. Her blog is 2 Encourage.
My father had a temper, and we never knew what would set him off. It was rough. My mother was a saint!
ReplyDeleteThe angry person with whom I lived discovered that he/she was bi-polar. I thank God for an intuitive doctor and effective meds.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Dawn. I'll be sharing it with some short-tempered people I know :)
ReplyDeleteHopefully with good results, Susan. :O
Delete