Emotional Control
I’m beginning to see a trend in the news. It started with Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) in an emotionally uncontrolled moment, lashing out at President Obama’s interpretation of the Health Care bill saying, “You lie!” on the House floor in open forum of Congress. No doubt his lack of restraint will cost him in respect among his peers and possible censure. A sad statement concerning modern politics is that after his verbal outburst he apparently raised more than $750,000 in less than 48 hours in campaign funding.
Then, recently, tennis pro Serena Williams, in an emotionally charged outburst yelled a profanity-laced tirade at a line judge resulting in her being fined $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, possibly facing further penalties, not to mention her losing the U.S. Open. Additionally, and although I don’t like giving this venue additional credence by including it here, at the annual MTV Awards, hip-hop artist Kanye West with uncontrolled verbal ranting, stole the microphone from singer Taylor Swift, causing confusion and ruining a personal achievement moment for Swift.
We see it in our everyday lives as well. Co-workers steaming because of infractions, real or imagined. Sometimes people we meet on the street, allowing their tempers to get the best of them. Why are so many losing control? The Bible states in James 1:19-20, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God”. Being slow to wrath. This is a critically lacking element in the world today. Mankind seems ready to lash out at the least infraction.
The Bible offers this nugget of wisdom and truth, “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29). This kind of impulsive, emotional knee jerk reaction is in opposition to being slow to wrath. How can we overcome this impulsive, wrathful, tendency of our human nature? “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7).
To learn more about a way of life that results in a controlled, loving, and sound mind, read: What is a True Christian?.
