Day 142, Year 1

Managing Emotions

“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29 NASB)

“Understanding” in the above verse, tebunah in Hebrew, could also be translated as having “insight, knowledge, or an act of understanding.” Today’s verse appreciates people with great understanding and the virtue of being slow to anger. But how do believers become slow to anger? 

First, understand your own emotions. Emotional responses often stem from our genetics, upbringing, and education, and reveal our underlying values and attitudes. For instance, some people are so self-inflated that they would be displeased even when it rains. Those people might probably be some city residents. Conversely, unless in a harvest season, farmers usually welcome rains, as it reduces the need for irrigation. Besides, the emotional responses of adolescents could be unpredictable and sometimes even surprising to themselves. Thus, understanding the rationales behind our emotions is crucial.

Second, what people get angry about often reveals what they are unable to accept. Prone to anger, they usually feel the need to control, have certain expectations, desires for some things, or fear that they will be disappointed by some things. When things do not go their way, they get angry. Thus, anger could reveal a person’s expectations or need for control. Note that anger is not always expressed through shouting or violence. Some might express their anger through weeping, crying, or even emotional eating.

Third, master your own emotions. After understanding your emotions, the next step is learning to regulate them. The wise believers are not quick to anger. On the one hand, we know how to rely on God to moderate our expectations and desires, deal with our fears, and even overcome the defects from our genetics and upbringing. On the other hand, we also understand diverse types of people and some of the disappointing nature of reality. Hence, we, being the wise and mature ones, are always able to control our emotions.

Last but not least, use your emotions in a godly way. Ultimately, we should learn from Jesus that even when angered, our expressed indignation should be righteous in line with God’s wrath and timing, such as when Jesus cleansed the temple in Jerusalem. That anger is not just carefully considered, but timed according to the will of God. Hence, the righteous anger of believers could also align with and manifest His heart, revealing the direction of His coming judgment.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you understand where your own desires, anger, and fears come from?

2) Do you think that your emotions could be used by the Lord to reveal His heart? Why?