Your Power rest in your ability to suppress fleshly desires

Text: Proverbs 16:32

“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” - ESV

The book of proverbs presents to God’s people divine wisdom that guides our daily lives on earth. Deep-rooted in this book are lessons of life that we cannot do away with as bondservants of Christ. In my quest to share the wisdom book with fellow believers, this text caught my attention that I believe is worth sharing. But will be done in series to grabs its meaning.

The first part of the text states, “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty”. what does this mean? Other version uses “Power” in place of “mighty”.

Mighty or power as used here refers to those who have authority to influence decision or behaviour of people or subjects. With this in mind I share with you these lessons.

1. Power acts; patience pauses

Powerful leaders sometimes act with their authority in haste without considering the long run consequences. Patient leaders suppress the urge to act even if it is within their power to do so, at least until they have time to consider the situation and the course of action.

2. Power reacts; patience reflects.

One of the great dangers that comes with power is the ability to act reflexively, especially in anger and frustration. When threatened, powerful leaders can push back forcefully, immediately, and often with unintended consequences.

In contrast, patient leaders take time to reflect on what has happened and why. They suppress the urge to gratify temporal impulse with a show of force. Instead, the patient pause, not forever, not long enough to jeopardize the outcome, but long enough to increase the odds of taking action that makes things better instead of worse.

3. Power floods; patience channels

Powerful leaders often act in anger, unleash

ing aggressive words and ill-considered demands that is forced through organisational channels. Washes away things once thought safe and sacred.

Patient leaders understand the force their words and actions can exert and the toll they can take. For that reason, they channel the latent force of their leadership, controlling it, harnessing it, using it to generate positive, controlled change. Never confuse a patient leader for a weak leader.

4. Power depletes; patience sustains

Powerful leaders often explode, spewing words, invective, and threats. Their forceful nature negatively affect them and depletes their personal leadership reserves as well as the resources they control.

Patient leaders know that most situations require sustained, forceful action. Patient leaders most often will never relent, nev

er stop, never pull back because resources remain abundant, resolve in the opposition falters.

Thinks about God’s perspective of power and how to patiently use them to the glorification of His name.

May the good Lord endow His servants with understanding and wisdom as we dive deeper into His words in Jesus’ name. Amen!!

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