“A quick-tempered person acts foolishly” (Proverbs 14:17)
How does a hotheaded person change? We’ve heard people say, “Ah, he’s always been like that. He’s always had a short-temper.” How does this person learn not to go from 0 to 100 in a few seconds? Is it working on an anger management plan? That can help you identify your triggers, and when you’re tired, moody, or stressed. Anger management plans are useful in guiding you to choose positive alternatives to help you deescalate, like going for a walk, or listening to music. But in order for those behavior modifications to work, you need to first address the condition of your heart before God.
If you’re finding yourself being impatient and quick-tempered with those around you, then you’re probably missing out on how patient and kind God is with you all the time. We often forget just how much forbearance God shows us every day. In order for deep heart change to occur, we need to focus daily on gospel truths like Ephesians 2:4-5, which says “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!”
We’ve disobeyed God time and time again, and instead of giving his rightfully deserved wrath to us, he has shown us mercy, love, and grace. Sit and really meditate on his grace. When the undeserving grace of God touches your short-fused heart, you’ll notice a gratitude and peace that has been missing. Then you’ll be willing to tackle that anger management plan, out of gratitude for God who has been so loving, so kind, and so patient with you every day of your life.
It’s then that you’ll see instructions in the Bible as wisdom and good for your soul! You’ll read them and want to make changes towards the people you’ve been impatient with. Don’t only change your temper for yourself, or even someone else, but change for God, who gave his Son for you, and has made you into a new creation.
“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” (James 1:19-20)