Slow

"No, lady, you can’t board. You don’t have the requirements to enter Serbia. Please find another flight, and go back to your home country.” I was speechless. Simultaneously, I felt anger rise because I did, indeed, have the necessary requirements. I caught my breath as I reminded myself to speak slowly and without anger —and presented my documents again. Notice in the Bible verse for today that James isn’t calling us to stifle our reactions; he calls us to change our reactions and be slow in our response. Although slowness is not an attractive asset in our fast-paced society, where quick opinions and responses are abundant, James tells us that being slow to speak and slow to anger is important to God. Whatever comes our way, James instructs us to be quick to hear, which frees us to listen attentively to what others say.

Slowness of speech also requires us to practice self-control over our own thoughts and feelings. The Word of truth has power.

When we are quick to anger, the power of truth does not belong to us. This is why James writes that our anger “does not produce the righteousness of God.” The righteousness of God is directly tied to His faithfulness and Word of truth. One of the attributes of God is being slow to anger. We misrepresent God’s character when we use anger as a primary reaction toward people and circumstances.

Misrepresenting God puts us in conflict with Him, which is the same as siding with unbelievers and the enemies of God.

At the airport that day, I swallowed my disappointment and anger and prayed silently, Lord, help me to reflect who You are as I speak.

Amen. Again, I explained my situation to the man behind the counter. He looked at my papers, then said, “Thank you for your patience and kind words, but you can’t board.” Yet he didn’t dismiss me. Immediately, he searched for a seat on the next flight home. When he found a seat, he forgave the difference in the ticket price. As I expressed my gratitude, he replied, “Thank you for speaking kindly to me. Enjoy your flight.” Are you facing a situation that needs more slow listening? Listening attentively can be therapeutic and healing. Be quick to hear because the Bible tells us a “gentle answer” can diffuse wrath, “but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1, NIV).

Raquel Quiroz da Costa Arrais