The Art of Self-Control

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

The Art of Self-Control
“If I were God,” said Martin Luther, “and the world had treated me as it has treated Him, I would kick the wretched thing to pieces.” As I consider Luther’s words, it comes to my mind that it’s difficult for mankind to understand the patience of God. After one of Robert Ingersoll’s atheistic lectures he held up his watch, shouting, “God! If there be a God, strike me dead within five minutes.” When nothing happened he smiled sarcastically, a believer asked, “Does the gentleman think that he could exhaust the patience of the Eternal God in five minutes?” There is no doubting that the quality of patience is worthy of our imitation. The book of Proverbs speaks repeatedly about it: “A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.” (Proverbs 14:29) “It is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control and entire army.” (Proverbs 16:32) Let me ask you a rather pointed question. Do you have a flashing temper which explodes, and then subsides just as quickly? Well, don’t brag about that too much. Littleness is easily provoked. You see, you can put all your weight on the side of an ocean liner without affecting it…but step on one side on a canoe and it will tip over. Greatness is slow to anger and is not easily provoked. Temper tantrums are never respected by intelligent and mature people. Dear friend, in the world that we live in, a world of complex and close personal relationships, there are constant occasions for offence. But one should be careful not to cultivate an over-sensitive spirit that is easily triggered into rage. Many times, an offence that seems to warrant an emotional tirade at the moment may seem less serious if one takes a day to think about it. Therefore, self-restraint is not weakness but strength. In Proverbs 17:14, we find these words from Solomon: “A short tempered man is a fool.” It’s true to say that we’re never at our best when we are angry. Our judgment is distorted; our mind is disordered. We do not speak wisely nor act judiciously when we are infuriated. We say and do that which can’t be easily undone. The records of the past are full of the triumphs of strong men and women. In all lands monuments have been raised to the great. History eulogizes Alexander who conquered the world, but who was a slave to anger. But what shall we say of him who has gained mastery of himself? “Behold a greater than Alexander is here!” Thanks for reading. I’d be pleased to receive your comments and questions. Just write to me at: Email me or write to me at P.O Box 1540, Albany W.A 6331. Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418

“If I were God,” said Martin Luther, “and the world had treated me as it has treated Him, I would kick the wretched thing to pieces.” As I consider Luther’s words, it comes to my mind that it’s difficult for mankind to understand the patience of God.

After one of Robert Ingersoll’s atheistic lectures he held up his watch, shouting, “God! If there be a God, strike me dead within five minutes.” When nothing happened he smiled sarcastically, a believer asked, “Does the gentleman think that he could exhaust the patience of the Eternal God in five minutes?”

There is no doubting that the quality of patience is worthy of our imitation. The book of Proverbs speaks repeatedly about it:

“A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.” (Proverbs 14:29)

“It is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control and entire army.” (Proverbs 16:32)

Let me ask you a rather pointed question. Do you have a flashing temper which explodes, and then subsides just as quickly? Well, don’t brag about that too much. Littleness is easily provoked. You see, you can put all your weight on the side of an ocean liner without affecting it…but step on one side on a canoe and it will tip over. Greatness is slow to anger and is not easily provoked. Temper tantrums are never respected by intelligent and mature people.

Dear friend, in the world that we live in, a world of complex and close personal relationships, there are constant occasions for offence. But one should be careful not to cultivate an over-sensitive spirit that is easily triggered into rage. Many times, an offence that seems to warrant an emotional tirade at the moment may seem less serious if one takes a day to think about it. Therefore, self-restraint is not weakness but strength.

In Proverbs 17:14, we find these words from Solomon: “A short tempered man is a fool.” It’s true to say that we’re never at our best when we are angry. Our judgment is distorted; our mind is disordered. We do not speak wisely nor act judiciously when we are infuriated. We say and do that which can’t be easily undone.

The records of the past are full of the triumphs of strong men and women. In all lands monuments have been raised to the great. History eulogizes Alexander who conquered the world, but who was a slave to anger. But what shall we say of him who has gained mastery of himself? “Behold a greater than Alexander is here!”

Thanks for reading. I’d be pleased to receive your comments and questions. Just write to me at:

Email me
or write to me at
P.O Box 1540,
Albany W.A 6331.

Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418