Week 4 | Day 2 | Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, and Slow to Become Angry

Command:

Do not be angry. Matthew 5:21-26 (NIV)

Read:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Reflect:

I wasn’t aware of how quick I was to lose my temper until I started my journey of following the ways of Jesus. You could say that it was simply the norm for me, or the people around me, to simply lose their cool when life got a little hard. 

Now I’ve realized that the closer that I am to God, the easier it is for me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Often I’m reminded of the reality that as I’m the only Jesus follower in my family, some days I might be the only glimpse of Jesus they see. For that reason, I try my best to be the salt and the light and to stay away from my prior tendencies that quickly rise to anger. 

Whenever I find myself in situations where my anger seems to be rising or I’m feeling extremely irritable, it’s a warning sign that I need to spend some time with Jesus. 

React:

How can you be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry this week?

Pray:

Lord, please help us in those moments when anger tries to take over. Guide us to your loving presence and fill us with your peace. We want our lives to be a testimony to the incredible power of Jesus. Through our words, actions, and how we carry ourselves, may others catch a glimpse of you and be drawn to the hope and love that you bring. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.