https://odb.org/2025/02/17/never-sent
Proverbs 29:20 (NIV): 20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
One of the things we learned at work is never to write or reply to an email when angry. Calm yourself down first. Take a walk. Go get a cup of coffee. Or even better, if the matter is not urgent, do it tomorrow. In today’s world, that includes writing or replying on WhatsApp.
The reason is simple, we are foolish when angry, and when foolish, we may write things that we will very much regret later. Like in the case of President Abraham Lincoln. His top general, George Meade, defied him when he did not attack the troops at the south as his men were as tired as those in the south. President Lincoln wrote a letter to his general that he was immeasurably distressed, but he sealed and didn’t send it. In the end, not sending that letter prevented President Lincoln from demoralizing his top general, helping him win a necessary war, and contributing to the healing of a nation.
The Bible is strewn with examples of how anger clouded judgement and led to lasting negative ramifications. Most infamous being Cain and Abel. If Cain had reined in his anger, he would not have killed Abel. If Moses had not allowed his rage to take control, he would not have killed the Egyptian, which led him fleeing to a far country in Midian to work as a shepherd for 40 years before God called him at the burning bush. Or if Moses had not allowed the grumbling of the Israelites to affect him, he might not have disobeyed the LORD and might have spoken to the rock instead of striking it with his staff. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience. The psalmist said in Psalm 106:33 that they made Moses angry, and he spoke foolishly.
This is especially important for couples. While we are no aliens to querrels and verbal fights, it is much wiser to keep our mouths shut when provoked or angered. There is no need to try to win every argument. At work, what is the point of winning an argument with the boss if it ultimately results in us losing his favour or even our job?
The lesson this morning is to learn to restrain ourselves, especially when angry or when we want to be provocative or are attempting to win an argument. Godly wisdom advocates that we keep quiet or just let the situation slide. Peace and preservation of relationships and harmony are often more critical. Praying for a person in private may well be more effective than standing our ground in an ascending crescendo in a heated argument.
Have a good week ahead, everyone! I pray that we will all be blessed with divine wisdom and will exercise restraint in all that we encounter at work, in church, or at home!
Ronnie's Thoughts 