Patience Over Anger

By: Grace Metzger

A person’s wisdom yields patience;

 it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

Today at work I was called overbearing. I am a very controlling person, this is something I have been aware of and have been working on. But knowing that doesn't change the fact that I was taken aback, even offended that someone would say that to my face. I wanted to lash out, I wanted to argue with them. I have begun to lose my patience for them. Then I remember Proverbs 19:11. 

This is a wonderful verse that reminds me of the importance of wisdom, patience, and peace when dealing with others. I won't lie, in that moment I didn't want the reminder, the last thing on my mind was wanting to continue to be patient with this person and try to work with them. But God had other plans and kept this verse on my mind all day. Each time I was near losing my patience, the words “a person's wisdom yields patience” ran through my mind. I wanted to be wise. I wanted to have patience, no matter how difficult it felt at the moment.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and
 patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in
 your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

I don't know about you, but I feel like for myself a lot of my anger with others is a result of having a issue with pride. When I get in an argument, I don't want to come to a comprise because I feel like I am correct. How could I ever possibly be incorrect? (Please note the sarcasm.)

But according to God, my patience should be greater than my pride. My patience should be greater than my anger, than my “need” to argue with others, than almost all of my actions. Showing others patience might sound quite hard in moments when your anger is at it's tipping point. Your first thought might be, “why do they deserve me to be kind and patient with them after they treated me like this.”

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that was my first thought. Why is it important to do this?

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

You are God's chosen people, I am God's chosen people, we are all God's chosen people. He called us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and yes, even patience. He wants us to show our fruits to others. Having these attributes can turn an argument into a solution, a hatred to love, and can turn an atheist into a Christian. If we are like this when we're upset  then what are we like when we're happy? That is what people will ask. So choose patience rather then anger and offense. 

Discussion Question: Do you find it hard to remain patient with others in times of anger?