Don’t fly into a rage unless you are prepared for a rough landing. Anger falls one letter short of danger. People constantly blowing fuses are generally left in the dark. If you lose your head, how can you expect to use it?
A Filipino saying advises: “Postpone today’s anger until tomorrow.” (Then apply this rule the next day and the next.) When you are upset, take a lesson from modern science: always count down before blasting off.
Seneca quipped, “The best cure for anger is delay.” Proverbs counsels, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32 KJV).
Blowing your stack always adds to the air pollution. You’ll never get to the top if you keep blowing yours.
One of the worst fruits of anger is revenge. No passion of the human heart promises so much and pays so little as that of revenge. The longest odds in the world are those against getting even with someone.
Instead of revenge, consider what the Bible says:
Vengeance is mine, I will repay, sayeth the Lord. If thine enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink; for in doing so thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
(Rom. 12:19b-20)
Francis Bacon adds, “In taking a revenge a man is but even with his enemies; but in passing it over, he is superior.”
Time spent in getting even is better used in trying to get ahead. Revenge is like biting a dog because the dog has bitten you. When trying to get even, you will always do odd things. “Vengeance is a dish that should be eaten cold” (An Old English Proverb).
Marcus Antonius reflected, “Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief, than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved.”
David Hume said, “He is happy whose circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent who can suit his temper to any circumstances.”
Anger is a boomerang that will surely hit you harder than anyone or anything at which you throw it.
by John Mason.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.