Day 32: Ecclesiastes 7:91 min read

“Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

So I’m wondering if Solomon is saying this from his database of wisdom or if it comes from a reflection on a life full of anger. I’m not sure. Of course he wrote similar things in Proverbs, but the context of Ecclesiastes comes from personal experience, so perhaps Solomon struggled with anger on multiple occasions.

Either way, Solomon brings out a great truth. Those who are quickly angered are fools. Yes, there are times to be angry for good reasons and with proper motives, but anger is usually sinful, especially when it comes upon a person hastily.

Do I control my emotions well by allowing God to take hold of them? Or am I a fool, hastening to be angry? Do I have good reasons when I get angry, or am I oversensitive to anything that doesn’t go my way?

I’m reminded of Ephesians 4:26: “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” Those are some good things to think about as I examine my life.

A fool is he who angers fast,
And more so he whose anger is wrong.
Control yourself till all is past;
Show forth Christ and suffer long.

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