Thursday, February 5, 2015

Proverbs 16:32-33 -- On Self Control

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."
Proverbs 16:32-33


This is an interesting pair of verses.  In the first verse, the idea of being slow to anger is paired with ruling our spirits.  They are part of the same concept... self control.  And being in control of ourselves is better than being powerful or in control of a city.  I think that is a very deep truth.  Power isn't really any good when we are out of control... we are just as likely to hurt people as help them.  But if we are in control of ourselves, whether we have a small sphere of influence or a large one, we will be able to affect the world positively and not worry about hurting others.
In the second verse it talks about control again... just in a different way.  Sometimes we flip coins, roll dice, or cast lots to make decisions, but in truth, God is in control.  Not only of himself, but of all of it.  He knows everything and everyone, and how it all works together.  He can guarantee the happy ending.
Anger is like random chance.  It is just as unreliable.  And controlling ourselves is like God being in control.  If we stop being so unpredictable, we will be able to see the lives we have ahead of us, and plan a lot better. :)  God being in control can also help us individually with our anger or impulse issues.  He can help us find peace, feel his spirit, and trust in him rather than feeling we have to be in control of everything or have lots of power.  We don't.  We only have to be in control of ourselves.  Today, let's work on self control rather than power or acquisition.

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