We’ve been talking about God solutions the past couple of days, and in the Book of James, we receive another brilliant message: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” What a sound philosophy that is. This wisdom answers a question about the anger issues many people experience today. People want to know what they should do when they’re angry or what to do if someone is mad at them. What is God’s solution for our response?

Let me repeat God’s wisdom: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry! We must ask the Lord to help us walk in this advice. Do you think a person following this logic is happy or unhappy? I’m going to guess happy. Verse 20 states, “Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” The world, its stories, heroes, and messages are around one theme typically, and it’s to “lash out.” Ill-advised people feel the need to power up, protest, or fight. When no one listens, they push. When pushing doesn’t work, they punch. When punching doesn’t work, they shoot. Is this the right way to respond when you feel angry?

Friend, anger and lashing out are not the answer. The guiding principles in James 1:19 represent where the real power lies! When you are listening, you are in a powerful position of understanding. If you take your time in a dilemma, you can make the correct decisions for moving forward. And when you are slow to become angry, you become a man or woman of peace. You truly become an ambassador of God’s answer.