“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20).
Good and Godly decisions are rarely made when we are angry, stressed, and hurt. When we are angry, stressed, or hurt, the brain goes into fight or flight mode.
In a stressed out condition, the creative area of our brain that is able to seek helpful solutions shuts down. In anger and stress, we either lash out or bolt. Neither of these are helpful. Relationships are destroyed, churches split, marriages break when we lash out or bolt.
God knows we will all deal with stressful situations. God knows things will happen that will royally tick us off. God knows people will say things that will hurt us.
So, God tells us:
- Be quick to listen
- Be slow to speak
- Be slow to anger
Take a deep breath. Take a pause. Don’t react and respond in anger, stress, and hurt. You will only do more damage.
Pause. Pray. Seek God’s righteousness.
I came across something that Toby Mac, a Christian musician, wrote called “Practice the Pause” that is helpful.
Practice the Pause
- When in doubt, pause
- When angry, pause
- When tired, pause
- When stressed, pause
- And when you pause, pray
That’s fantastic advice.
Practice the pause. Go to God in prayer. Seek God’s purposes and God’s righteousness.
Praxis: Faith in Action 