HOW INSIGHT SLOWS DOWN ANGER

Insight is the ability to see into a situation.  To have insight means to see beyond the surface of a matter. How does that help when we are offended or provoked? 

When we see an injustice, we may well become indignant. However, if we follow our emotions and react violently, we may end up hurting ourselves or someone else. Just as an uncontrolled fire can burn down a house, the flare of anger may destroy our reputation and our relationship with others, even with God.  So when we feel anger welling up inside us, it is time  to take a deeper look into the situation. Seeing a more complete picture of what is happening will surely help us to control our emotions.

Solomon's father, King David, narrowly escaped incurring blood guilt in connection with a man named Nabal, thanks to David's being helped to see the situation. David and his men protected Nabal's sheep in the Judean wilderness. When the time came for shearing the flock, David asked Nabal for some provisions. At that, Nabal answered:  "Do I have to take my bread and my water and the meat I butchered for my shearers and give it to men who come from who knows where?? What an Insult! When David heard those words, he, with some 400 men, set out to annihilate Nabal and his household.  -1 Samuel 25:4-13. 

Next time: Conclusion of HOW INSIGHT SLOWS DOWN ANGER

From the Watchtower magazine, 2014