Patience vs. Anger (Can they be related?)

As I was reading my Bible preparing for the Patience themed Bible study one week, I came across Proverbs fifteen.  In this chapter there are multiple verses on controlling or turning away anger.  I figure this isn't the typical way to go about studying patience, but these scriptures stood out to me.  For this is something I have been struggling with recently (also off and on in my past).  I used to get very angry when I was young.  I would get so mad at times, my entire face would become blood red and look like it was going to explode.  Since my younger years, I have become much more wise when it comes to controlling my temper.  But this does not mean I don't throw my control out the window at times.  The other day, for the first time in a while, I let my feelings run away with me; I acted very immaturely.

My patience that day was pretty much non-existent from the start.  Hormones could have had something to do with it, but I'm the one who spiraled out of control.  Do you ever have those days where it just seems to start off in an irritable way, which can lead to many impatient actions?

Proverbs 15 stuck out to me this particular week, and here are a few verses that I believe pertain to the topic we were discussing... (NLT)

Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."

Proverbs 15:18, "A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them."

Proverbs 15:28,"The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil."

A lot of times, impatience turns into anger...  Frustration can be a form of impatience... We should work hard to develop our patience, so that we will not be easily angry or frustrated.

Patience Definition:

(Noun) The power or capacity to endure without complaint something difficult or disagreeable; forbearance; long-suffering.

(Adj.) Bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint; steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity; not hasty or impetuous.

After reading the definition of Patience, I felt pretty infantile; not wise at all.  Do you think people are born with patient tendency? Or does everyone struggle with it/have to develop it in similar ways?  On a scale of one to ten how would you rate your development of patience?  

Blessings!

~S*

Gentleness (Part 2)

But the Fruit of the Spirit is... GENTLENESS..." Galatians 5:22-23

 

Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

How many of you have experienced this verse first hand in one or both instances?  Unfortunately, if I answer harshly, I tend to be around family/those who know me best. However, if I am at work or with people who don’t know me very well, I usually have a gentler answer.  Pretty sad isn’t it?  This proves that if I want to, I can control what comes out of my mouth (even if it isn’t what I might be thinking). At work I know that it is my job to be kind, gentle, and overly considerate to the customers (and fellow associates) that I encounter.  If I don’t, I could be fired, or I may be on the receiving end of a long lecture about customer service.  Meanwhile, at home, your family can’t fire you… They (usually) love you no matter what.  This should make us want to be gentlest to them, but instead we usually take advantage of the fact that they are family and will love us anyway…  I want to try to have a soft/gentle answer when it comes to everyone.  I am striving to be someone who serves God whole-heartedly and not just when others are watching.  I want to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer…(James 1:22)

What are some instances where you have gently answered someone and it has turned out for the better?  Who do you need to be gentler to?

As always I look forward to you input!

Blessings!

~ S*