Wise Saying #2:
Don’t be friends with people who become angry easily. Don’t stay around quick-tempered people.
Proverbs 22:24 ERV
Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
Proverbs 22:24-25 NLT
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
Proverbs 22:24 NIV
Don’t hang out with angry people; don’t keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious— don’t get infected.
Proverbs 22:24 MSG
I stepped out of the shower, looked into the mirror, and noticed that there was steam rising from my wet head. Ahhh, that was one sizzling and refreshing shower. Yet, I don’t believe that is the type of “hothead” that the Bible is referring to when we are instructed to “don’t keep company with hotheads”, but this illustration came at the appropriate time for me to discuss Wise Saying #2, and it provided a little bit of comic relief.
We are influenced by the company we keep. Evaluate the people you surround yourself with. Some may be for a season, and others may be for a lifetime, yet even for those brief seasons, others bad attitudes can have a tendency to result in negative affects in your life.
Many many years ago, when I was at a church youth retreat, I remember our youth pastor, Tommy Warnock, having two volunteers illustrate how easy it is to succumb to “bad company”. One person was standing on a chair, and the other was on the ground. In this demonstration, when the one in the higher position tried to raise the one on the lower elevation…it was a bit difficult. When the one below pulled on the person who was standing on the chair, a fall was much more easier than a lift up.
Throughout my teaching career I used that illustration each year when we were discussing integers (negatives and positives). Teaching math wasn’t the only lessons my students were receiving in our class…life lessons were in abundance.
When you live with anger in you, your surroundings aren’t the only element that is affected…your health is. Here is just one web article to provide information about what anger does to your body: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/anger-how-it-affects-people
I’m going to let the scriptures speak more to having anger, and some former journal entries can be read as well.
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
Luke 6:27-28 NLT
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
A quick-tempered person does stupid things, but it is also true that people don’t like anyone who quietly plans evil.
Proverbs 14:17 ERV
It is better to be patient than to be a strong soldier. It is better to control your anger than to capture a city.
Proverbs 16:32 ERV
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Colossians 3:8 NIV
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
Proverbs 19:11 NLT
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV
Don’t be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 MSG
Journal entries on anger:
- A Lesson on Being a Parent – https://soakinguptheson.com/new/daily-journaling/a-lesson-in-being-a-parent/
- Jesus Didn’t Need a Snickers Bar –https://soakinguptheson.com/new/daily-journaling/jesus-didnt-need-a-snickers-bar/
- I was a bad example! – https://soakinguptheson.com/new/daily-journaling/i-was-a-bad-example/
- Choose your physiognomies – https://soakinguptheson.com/new/daily-journaling/choose-your-physiognomies/
- I don’t want to be sick! – https://soakinguptheson.com/new/daily-journaling/i-dont-want-to-be-sick/
Journal entries when I search righteous anger. There’s much forgiveness and grace here…
https://soakinguptheson.com/new/?s=Righteous+anger:
- Run from Danger
- Revenge!
- Forgiveness…hard yet freeing
- In need of grace, and giving grace:
- “Not Today, Satan!”
- Haters Gonna Hate
- My dog isn’t the only thing lost.
- Smart vs. Stupid
I pray that you will “Don’t hang out with angry people; don’t keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious— don’t get infected.” Proverbs 22:24 MSG, yet surround yourself with good godly folks, and when you are encountering someone who is angry…pray for them, don’t encourage their negative attitude, and again…PRAY.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
