Feb 12 – COMPOSURE !

“He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD” (Proverbs 14: 2)

Always live life in a composed manner. And whatever be the situation, never lose your level-headedness. You may have prayed for several things, as you get up each morning. May be you should start to pray for composure in your lives from now on. Ask the Lord that you should never lose your cool, whatever is the battle or tough situation that you may be going through in your life.

No one can predict the behaviour of a person who has lost his composure. Some speak out arrogant words when they lose their cool. Some start hitting or attacking others. Some could even go to the extent of killing another person at the heat of the moment. Once it is committed, there is no point or use in regretting or grieving about the same.

When the Lord spoke to Moses the second time, He said: “speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water”. But Moses, because of the incessant murmuring of the Israelites, lost his composure and struck the rocksaying whether the waters will flow out of this rock? Moses, who should have spoken to the rock, lost his temperament and struck the rock.

We all know the consequence of this action of Moses. He could not enter the promised land of Canaan. Even after he pleaded many times with the Lord, he lost the opportunity to enter into Canaan, forever.

Another man in the Scripture who lost his composure was King Uzziah. When his heart was lifted up, he transgressed against the Lord to burn incense on the altar – which should be done by the consecrated priests. And he had to suffer the pathetic consequence of that action, and remained as a leper until his death. If you get into such a situation, where you might lose your temper, kneel down in the presence of God and ask for His forgiveness. Be cautious, as anger, negative zeal and bitterness might enter into you and destroy you, if you lose your composure.

Peter, the disciple of Jesus was another man who lost his composure. He drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of high priest. Our Lord Jesus Christ observed this. He touched the ear of Malchus and healed him. And he told Peter to put his sword into the sheath.

Children of God, whenever you get into a situation where you might lose your temper, run into your prayer room. Pour out your heart in the presence of God and praise Him, until all the negative thoughts are taken away from you. This one action, will save you from many evils.

Verse for further meditation: “Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right” (Proverbs 16: 13).