Monday, February 17 The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger.​—Prov. 19:11.

[Áine]

Monday, February 17

The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger.—Prov. 19:11.

 

Insight can help us to be mild. An insightful person shows restraint when challenged about his beliefs. Some questions or challenges are like icebergs, the greater part lying below the surface. For example, a hidden motive or concern may prompt a person to ask a question. So before answering, we do well to realize that we may not know what has moved the person to raise the issue. (Prov. 16:23) Consider how Gideon responded to the men of Ephraim. They angrily challenged him as to why he did not call them earlier to join him in the fight against Israel’s enemies. Was there an underlying reason for their contentious attitude? Hurt pride, perhaps? Whatever the case, Gideon wisely respected their feelings and gave them a mild answer. The result? Disarmed, “they calmed down.”—Judg. 8:1-3. w23.09 16 ¶8-9