Don't Be A Fool!

Fools are quick-tempered. They get angry/annoyed easily and are quick to express their anger/annoyance. They are easily provoked and immediately & visibly show it by their words, facial expressions, and/or actions. They react rashly without thinking first. They disgrace themselves by giving way to their madness. They display self-importance, pride and arrogance.

On the contrary, the wise stay calm when insulted. They overlook offenses. The wise (prudent) exhibit patience and self-control. They put up with the contempt and they don't seek revenge. Instead, they respond in love, grace, humility, kindness, and gentleness. By doing so, they are less likely to get into trouble and more likely to gain respect from others. The fool react without thinking; the wise think before reacting. The wise will think first and avoid the shame of anger causing them to react foolishly. The fool are controlled by their anger; the wise control their anger. "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." (Proverbs 29:11) "A quick-tempered person does foolish things." (Proverbs 14:17a) "Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." (Proverbs 14:29)

There are many irritations in life. We can choose to be angry & annoyed like a fool or we can choose to let it go and forgive like a wise person. "Love is patient, love is kind...It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." (1 Corinthians 13:4a, 5) May we do everything in love! "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) "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

"Humble yourself and cease to care what men think. A meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather,...he has stopped being fooled about himself. He knows well that the world will never see him as God sees him and he has stopped caring. He has obtained a place of soul rest. The old struggle to defend himself is over." (A.W. Tozer) Stay calm when people insult you. Remember that God is our Defender! We won't be so easily offended when we realize who we are in Christ and our goal is to glorify Him, not self.

Prayer: Abba Father, please forgive me for the times I reacted in anger and in foolish ways. Please help me to not be easily offended or annoyed. Please enable me to overlook insults/offenses, be quick to forgive, and respond in love, grace, humility, kindness, and gentleness. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.