Ecclesiastes 7:9 says this, “Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.”
And it hit me the moment I opened the page.
It’s a warning smack dab in the middle of the wisdom for life.
Control your temper.
Do not be angry lest you look like a fool.
The ESV says it like this, “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.”
The NASB says it this way, “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.”
And the HCSB says this, “Don't let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools.”
My commentary says the hard words that hearts need to hear, “If unprovoked by real and serious evils, it will find abundant material for disquietude in the minor crosses and irritations of daily life. While the patient spirit, that schools itself to submission, and yet waits in hope that in the providence of God the cause of pain and provocation will be removed, enjoys peace even in the very trying circumstances.”
In other words, when we find ourselves being unshaken and un-offended by the big things in life - the real, true evils that wreak havoc over our spiritual souls - we WILL discover all kinds of reasons to be provoked by even the most trivial irritations of every day life.
For instance… we may fail to see how much damage we are inflicting on our souls by gossiping about someone we really dislike, but will find ourselves to be super disturbed when we are cut off in traffic, or when we get treated improperly at the grocery store.
It’s misplaced disappointment and it leads to improper exaggeration.
On the other hand, when we find ourselves exercising a patient spirit, living in full submission to God, and remaining hopeful in all circumstances that God is good and faithful to bring about victory - we WILL enjoy peace even in very difficult and challenging times.
For instance… we may be going through a very rough season with our kids, but find ourselves praying and believing that better days lie ahead and that His goodness is a promise He makes to those who love Him, and honor Him with everything.
This is having a peace that passes all understanding that leads to joy in ALL things.
It is good to be aroused to move on behalf of injustice and to stand against all signs of wickedness and evil, but when the anger of it all and the bitterness of worldly observances has made it's home in our hearts and lodged itself deep within our character, it becomes dangerous and even fatal.
Paul warns us too, “‘… don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.’” (Eph 4:26-27)
James says like this, “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”
We will all face difficulty at one point or another in this lifetime. And how we prepare ourselves now for the attack makes all the difference in how we will be successful to overcome them at the time they arrive.
Ezra 3:12-13 tells us that they men who shouted for joy at the rebuilding of the temple acted more wisely than the old men who wept with a loud voice, even though their sadness and anger originated from a right heart in defending the house of the Lord.
Psalm 37:8 says, “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.”
We should then, make the best of all things as they are, refuse to grumble of complain, bear patiently even in our greatest and most offensive annoyances, and seek to maintain great self-control. When we do this, we escape a great deal of unnecessary misery.
We must practice being unprovoked in daily irritations, so we can claim victory in deadly inconveniences!
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