Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Short and Hopefully Sweet

I'm swamped so I can't write one of my ridiculously long posts for today.

But, I was thinking about something the other day that I thought I might share.

Y'all know I'm married, and, like most married people, I've found that staying married is a daily struggle of love and patience. Anyway, the other morning the wife and I have a disagreement and I leave for work in a huff.

Have y'all every noticed how easy it is to get sidetracked by anger? It almost seems like anger and frustration are delicious cookies just begging to be devoured when you pass them in the kitchen. They call to you, entice you and can even sate you. But, in the end, you'll end up feeling worse after having indulged.

I'm really working on controlling my anger and refusing to allow my self to succumb to certain temptations. It's a constant struggle, but I've learned, as many of you have learned, that most things worth having take work to attain. Anyway, I thought I'd steal an idea from my homeboy Deacon Blue and leave you with a scripture I have marked in my Bible to remind myself of how I need to behave.

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath"James 1:19

Now, wasn't that both short and sweet?


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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath"James 1:19" Relating to marriage: That passage has worked for me and my one and only wife for 34 years.

Anonymous said...

Amen, sir! Good passage for me to be reminded of myself.

Marriage and childrearing...two jobs that are among the hardest to do well, and neither of which provides a paycheck.
;-)

Anonymous said...

Really great verse. I must admit, I can't recall having heard that one before. I really needed that one today. Seriously, thanks.

AfroPeace said...

Like the toxic cookie metaphor. I've learned a most valuable lesson in life: that chronic anger sucks me dry of creativity. A little anger, however, can be good if it's a catalyst for productive discussions that clear the air and speak the truth (if not used as a knife), and positive change.

I've also noticed this is people who tend to spend a lot of time hating something or someone too, whether it's a situation, boss, or the pain in the neck next door. Bigots tend to be one of the least creative bunches of all, and more prone to jealousy.

Nice post... short and sweet indeed.

Anonymous said...

Anger when channeled negatively consumes way too much energy and time. It really is a challenge to achieve a sustaining calm in the face of stressful situations, or a "passionate pacifism" if you will.

Insightful post.




Raving Black Lunatic