Delay is a tremendous tool…

In managing your anger, reflect before reacting.  Don't respond impulsively. 

Delay is a tremendous tool and a great remedy in anger.  I'm not talking about the delay where you save your anger for weeks and months and years.  That's called resentment and it doesn't work.  In Ephesians it says, "Don't ever go to bed angry."  When you swallow your anger your stomach keeps score.  When you swallow your anger, it takes it out on your body.  Don't go to bed angry.  If you do, you internalize anger and it always hurts you.

But anger delayed gives it time to cool down.  Thomas Jefferson said "When you're angry you count to 10 and when you're very angry, count to 100."  Why?  It gives you the chance to slow down. When you get angry this emotional energy goes into you, this adrenalin rush and your whole body goes on alert.  But when you give it some time it calms you down.  The longer you hold your temper, the more it improves.  It gives you some time to think about what you're angry about and reflect on it.

Proverbs 29:11 (NEB), "A stupid man gives free reign to his anger; a wise man waits and lets it grow cool."  Notice the words, "waits" and "cool". 

Did you know that "cool" is a Biblical term?  Another translation of this verse says, "A wise man waits and chills out."  Just calm down and before you put your mouth in gear make sure your mind is in motion and you've given yourself a chance to slow down. 

Just a thought from the front porch…