The Humble Mind! 6

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

Have you heard of this phrase before ‘Over my dead body will I let go’ or ‘I will never forgive you again because I know that you are unworthy of forgiveness’? These words were mostly accompanied by an image of people who are proud and arrogant. When I was a child, my grandmother said that what comes out from our mouth can reflect pride or humility. And from all this, I learned that unforgiveness and anger are a source of pride.

For example, Haman’s story is long but shortened from the Book of Esther; Haman, the Agagite and persecutors of Jews, was filled with pride that generates anger and later to death. This happened because after Haman was appointed the king Ahasuerus’s chief minister, everyone was required to bow to Haman, but Mordechai refused. He was so angry that instead of celebrating the new title and promotion, he decided to embrace anger that leads to life misery and death. Likewise, many people are suffering from anger instead of celebrating the daily victory that God has given them.

Psalm 37:8-9 says, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.”

Think about this: If we tend to hold on to our anger, revenge, and bitterness, it is because we are filled with pride. When we are filled with pride that generates anger, we lack the understanding that God is in control over everything. I am not saying that we shouldn’t be angry at others for their actions but rather that we should slow to anger and avoid turning our anger into bitterness that corrupt our mind.

It is essential to understand that anger is a natural reaction from our emotions, but it doesn’t mean that we should let it control us. That is why Ephesians said, 4:26 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” In other words, it is better to learn how to deal with it instead of letting it control you because anger is like a poison that can kill you if left unchecked. James 1:19-20 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger because human anger does not produce God’s righteousness.”

Prayer:
1. Lord Jesus, I am thankful for everything you have done in my life.
2. Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Lord, show me your mercy anywhere I transgress in my emotion of anger.
3. Please forgive me when I do wrong, and give me the strength to refrain from anger in Jesus’ name.