Sit with It

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. —Proverbs 29:11

During times of stress, it can be easy to get impatient and have a shorter fuse. But just because things are hard doesn’t mean we should just lose control of what comes out of our mouths.

I’m generally a bubbly and joyful person, but when I get agitated I’ve learned I need to take a moment to be slow to speak—what I call “sit with it.” Whatever it is that’s making you upset, sit with it for a minute and ask, “Why am I feeling this way?” When you start to process in that manner and filter your feelings through Scripture, you’ll often realize that what you’re upset about is sinful, wrong, or selfish.

We all have emotions; just don’t let those emotions be in charge of you. Take a moment, be slow to speak, and think about what’s agitating you. It’s okay to say you’re struggling and be honest about it. But don’t vent your anger like a fool.