August 3, 2016
SELF-CONTROL
Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Psalm 4:4
When you are having a tough and stressful day, do you give yourself a time-out? The point of a time-out is for us to be set apart from our current challenge so that we can have the opportunity to cool down and settle our emotions. King David might possibly be the originator of time-out. How wise he was!
In our psalm for today, he talks about sitting on his bed silently when he is angry. In that position of meditation, he had the opportunity to search his heart and get right with God.
David knew the implications of how hurtful our words and actions can be when we let them control us. He also knew that when those moments of anger and frustration strike, the best option is to take a time-out - to separate ourselves to meditate and so prevent and destructive behaviour.
If all of us chose the way of David, we would be able to deflect a lot of the hurtful and angry thoughts that cloud our thinking in times of pain. Are there times in your life when you wish you had given yourself a time-out and stayed silent? Are there things you regret saying to your children, spouse or friends?
Our words are powerful. Indeed, the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body. Just like the other muscles of our body, how we use it makes all the difference. We can either use it to lash out at others or use it to build up others.
Why don't you learn from King David - sit on your bed and meditate whenever you feel angry?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to control my temper.
Scriptural Reading: Psalm 4:1-8
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