Prov. 29 - July 29

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Prov. 29:11 NIV

Have you ever been in a store when a child throws a tantrum? I was in the grocery store line-up the other day when a boy, who must have been around 10, began to do so over a pack of gum.  It wasn't a pretty sight, but he had no idea of how he was embarrassing his mother, and himself.

Have you ever been in the same room when an adult acted the same way? (I really wanted to say, can you remember a time when you ...).

I'm impressed with how many of the things that the book of Proverbs treats really deals with our self control and discipline. Think before you speak, consider the outcome of your actions, and hold a tight reign on your anger are all part of such God-pleasing behaviour. All of these can be tough to do, when we try to do them in our own power and strength.

But there's a power available to us - one which includes a life of self-control, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, patience, peace, joy and love. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, found in Galatians 5:22,23, and listed above in reverse order, is not only an altruistic list to aim towards, but a gift that comes from walking and keeping in step with the Spirit. This is actually the power for living made available to those who would daily submit to the control and direction of God, and is what it means in Prov. 1:7 when we are told, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."