CWW Week 41 - Anger - Day 1

Devotional: The Wisdom in Slowing Down Anger

Verse:
Proverbs 14:29 (ESV) – “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”

Devotional Thought

We’ve all had those moments – someone cuts us off in traffic, a mate makes a snide comment, the kids won’t listen, or something just doesn’t go to plan. Our heart rate picks up, our tone sharpens, and before we know it, words or actions spill out that we regret later. Anger can sneak in quickly, but it never leaves quietly.

Proverbs 14:29 speaks right into this space of tension and reaction. It doesn’t say “don’t feel anger” – it says, “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding.” That means the wise person isn’t ruled by emotion. They feel it, sure, but they pause. They breathe. They choose their response carefully. They don’t press the send button then and there, they sleep on it and review their responses in the morning. As a pilot I always valued the time I spent sitting on my hands before reacting in a crisis. It’s a time to focus and get our heads right.

The second part of the verse gives a strong contrast: “but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” In other words, losing our cool quickly only shows our foolishness. Not just to others – but to ourselves and to God. It’s a wake-up call: if we want to live wisely and with understanding, we need to learn how to slow down our anger and reflect before reacting.

The Bible never pretends that we won’t feel anger. Even Jesus got angry – but His anger was righteous, directed at injustice and hypocrisy, never out of pride or frustration. Our problem is that our anger is often reactive and rooted in ego, wounded pride, or a need to control. And that’s the kind of anger that causes damage – to relationships, to trust, to our own hearts. Have you ever thought of how much energy you spend performing to look better to others than you actually feel about yourself?

So how do we become slow to anger?

It starts with humility. When we recognise that we don’t know everything, that we aren’t the centre of the universe, and that other people are struggling too, it becomes easier to extend grace. A wise person listens, considers, and then responds – if at all. Wisdom often looks like silence when we want to shout, or a gentle answer when we’re tempted to bite back. I have often said that the real measure of a man is not how often he draws his sword but in how often he chooses not to.

It continues with prayer. We need the Holy Spirit’s help to tame our tongues and soften our hearts. Slowing down anger isn’t just self-control – it’s Spirit-led control. It’s inviting God into our emotional responses and asking Him to guide our reactions.

And finally, it requires practice. Every moment we choose patience over fury is a step toward wisdom. The more we practise slowing down, the more natural it becomes. Not easy – but godly.

As a mentor to younger pilots I found that anger management was the key to a successful transition into the command seat. I once flew with a young man who was perpetually annoyed with life. He never stopped complaining and it ruled his character and made him hard work to fly with. One night on a long flight I asked him to write a list of all the things in his life that made him angry. There were a total of forty nine subjects of his rage. As I read the list I could see why he was such hard work. I handed him a red pen and asked him to draw a line through all the items that he was powerless to change. The list went from forty nine to just six. I then suggested that he work on those six one at a time.

This is why I love the serenity prayer. The first stanza reads, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Oh that we all went through that process before reacting and making things a whole lot worse.

Think about your day-to-day life. Are there patterns of frustration? Are there people who tend to press your buttons? What would it look like to pause in those moments and ask God for help? What would change if you responded with understanding rather than heat?

The wise are not those who never feel anger, but those who don’t let it rule them. And with God’s help, that can be you.

Reflection Questions

1. What situations or people tend to trigger your anger most often, and why do you think that is?
   Reflect on the root causes – unmet expectations, past wounds, or pride.
2. How would your relationships change if you consistently chose to be slow to anger?
   Consider the peace and trust that could grow as a result.
3. What’s one practical step you can take this week to pause before reacting in frustration or anger?
   This could be taking a breath, walking away, or praying in the moment.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Papa God,

Thank You for Your endless patience with me. You see my heart and know the times I’ve reacted in anger instead of love. I’m sorry for the words I’ve spoken too quickly and the hurt I’ve caused because I didn’t slow down.

Please teach me to be slow to anger. Give me understanding that comes from You, not just from my experience. Help me to pause, to breathe, and to listen before I speak. Let Your Spirit guide my reactions so that I build peace instead of tension, and reflect Your love instead of my frustration.

In those moments when anger rises up, remind me of Your grace and draw me back to wisdom. Thank You that You’re patient with me as I learn to be patient with others.

I want to honour You in my emotions, in my words, and in my relationships.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Have a great day today with Jesus.

Graham Hood.