Monday, April 02, 2007

When To Let the Sun Go Down on Anger

You get angry. You have heard or seen something that just stews you.

You write the e-mail.

You hit the keys hard and the anger is white hot.

I have a great piece of advice: Do not press "send".

Is there a Biblical basis for this? Absolutely.

Proverbs 17:27 "Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding."

Eccl 5:2 "Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few."

James 1:19 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."

Why do I write this?

I have sent e-mails before that I regret. But this occassion is a recent e-mail I received.

A very smart person sent me an angry e-mail. He was upset about something that was published by me. I see where his misunderstanding came about- but he missed the context, very badly.

I replied with an honest apology- and I am only guessing that he re-read my article and his e-mail. .... I bet he wished he had sat on that for at least 24 hours.

May we all learn this lesson- let that thing cool. E-mail is way too fast!

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