Scripture Reading: James 1: 19 -20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Reflection: Wrath is one thing that can destroy your personality and image. Apostle James cautions us about it. He gets us to understand that its outcome always contravenes the will of God. It does not ‘work out God’s righteousness’ he rightly puts it. This means that wrath even affects your relationship with God. As defined by Barclay, ‘wrath’ is ‘the blaze of temper which flares into violent words and deeds, and just as quickly dies’. Interestingly before it quickly ‘dies’, wrath would have caused its victims to commit regrettable but irreparable ‘damages’ to lives. Some have divorced, verbally assaulted, killed or physically wounded others because of wrath and after it was all over they wished they had not done so. No wonder James tells us to control our tempers and ensure we don’t get to the stage of showing up wrath. Watch out ! Wrath is an outburst of temper and anger with negative results. If there is something you must not be quick to do, then it is to be wrathful! It is time to be slow to wrath! Ask God for grace to control your temper and anger.

Prayer: Oh Lord, when I am provoked, grant me grace not to show up wrath!