Staying in control

How different is the man who fights traffic on the morning commute in a major city, from the tribal man in Africa who battles a savage tribesman from a different village? No matter where we are on the globe, when our space is invaded, we tend to react without thinking of the consequences, and our reaction may well be a knee-jerking act of hostility that can get one killed. Furthermore, in only a moment, we are all reduced to a combatant who treats the man he dislikes exactly as he is being treated.

When someone does you wrong, do you retaliate with the same kind of treatment, or do you think, and then act as God would have you act? Simply put, how do you keep from “losing it?” How do you manage yourself rather than the one you detest?

The real issue is keeping your cool when your adversary is hot under the collar. Paul wrote, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:15, nkjv), and again, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody” (Romans 12:17).

When you start to lose your cool try this:

Think. Think of your family, or yourself, and the consequences of doing something rash.

Take control of yourself. Sometimes you have to stuff your anger and say, “I refuse to let him pull me down to his level. He’s not worth it.”

Back off from the situation. You don’t have to prove that you are stronger, that you can rise to his challenge.

Breathe a quick prayer. Say, “God, help me right now!” And with those five words, you’ll find a peace and a control that keeps you in command.

Today Counts is available in bookstores nationwide. For more information, write to Guidelines Philippines, Box 4000, Makati; e-mail box4000@

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