[i]He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.[/i] Proverbs 16:32Recommended ReadingProverbs 16:27-33 Dale Carnegie once told of a young man whose mind was riddled with anxiety like honeycomb. On the verge of a nervous breakdown, he moved to Florida; but his dad, in a letter, told him bluntly: "Son, you are 1500 miles from home, and you dont feel any different, do you? I knew you wouldnt because you took with you the one thing that is the cause of all your trouble, that is, yourself."The enraged young man stalked down the street like a pouting lion. Passing a church at service time, he went in. The pastor was speaking from Proverbs 16:32: [i]"He who . . . rules his spirit (is better) than he who takes a city."[/i]It was the turning point, for the man suddenly realized he could change. He could control his own thoughts and emotions with the help of Scripture. He could let the Lord rule over his spirit. He could manage his emotions instead of letting them manage him. Returning home, his life took on new meaning.*Are you ruling your emotions or are they ruling you? If youre in the grip of anger or anxiety, claim Proverbs 16:32 as Gods Word for you today.[i]The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.[/i]Martha WashingtonDavid Jeremiah*([i]From the peanut gallery... an extra added emphesis on; He could let the Lord rule over his spirit.[/i])
_________________Mike Balog
Praise God for Dale Carnegie! .. Did I say something I shouldn't have? Seriously, though, the people of the world often understand principles that many Christians have never discovered. Jesus himself said the same thing in many ways. Contentment does not come from outside of ourselves. We are not victims of circumstance. To the extent that we believe we are dependent on something outside of ourselves (rather than Christ WITHIN us), we will be tempted to sin. We will manipulate others, events... We will covet, steal, cheat, be angry, be despondent, hold grudges, etc etc.... and yes, take trips we don't need to take. A collections of related scriptures would be most edifying. Diane
_________________Diane