Day 31 · Week 5
Passage: Proverbs 16:32; Galatians 5:22–23
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:5
Proverbs 16:32 (KJV)
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
When we think of a strong person, we might picture someone who can lift a lot of weight, win a fight, or stand up to someone else. But the Bible gives us another picture of strength.
Solomon says that a person who can control his temper is stronger than a mighty warrior.
Think about how hard that can be.
Someone says something that hurts you, and you immediately want to say something back. Your brother or sister annoys you, and you want to make sure they know it. Someone treats you unfairly, and everything inside you wants to prove that you are right.
It is easy to react in the moment. It is much harder to stop and ask, “How would Jesus want me to handle this?”
That helps us understand what Jesus means when He talks about meekness. A meek person is not someone who is too weak to stand up for what is right. Jesus was meek, and He certainly was not weak.
Meekness means that our strength is surrendered to God.
Jesus could speak firmly when something was wrong, but He did not lose control of Himself. He did not have to win every argument or get even with people who insulted Him.
We need that kind of strength at home too. Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is lower our voice. Sometimes it is walking away until we can speak calmly. Sometimes it is admitting that we were wrong instead of trying to have the last word.
Galatians tells us that self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit. We don't have to develop this kind of character by ourselves. As we stay close to Jesus, the Holy Spirit can help us respond differently—even when we are angry.
Can you remember a time when it would have been easier to get angry than to stay calm? What could you have done differently?
The next time I start getting angry, what could help me stop before I say or do something I will regret?
Ask Jesus to help each person in your family know when to speak, when to be quiet, and how to stay under His control when emotions are strong.