August 24
Losing
Control
"Anyone who is patient has great understanding. But anyone who gets angry quickly shows how foolish they are."
Proverbs 14:29 (NIrV)
Jez slammed his foot on the gas, weaving through the congested lanes with precision. The blaring music from his speakers pulsed through the car, matching the intensity of his driving. It was the usual rush-hour chaos, but today felt worse. He was running late, his boss had been on his case all week, and now, to top it off, some reckless driver had just cut in front of him, barely missing his car.
His heart pounded as adrenaline surged through his veins. Without thinking, he slammed his foot on the brake and honked his horn aggressively. The other driver, a woman in a small blue hatchback, glanced in her rearview mirror, her eyes wide with panic. At the next red light, Jez couldn’t contain his fury. He threw his car into park, jumped out, and stormed over to her window.
“What is wrong with you?” he shouted, banging his fist on the glass. The woman flinched, gripping the steering wheel tightly. She didn’t roll down the window but mouthed what looked like an apology, her face pale. Jez could see she was frightened, but in his rage, he didn’t care. He wanted her to know she had nearly caused an accident.
The light turned green, and she hesitated for a moment before speeding off. Jez got back into his car, but he wasn’t done yet. He followed her closely, his front bumper nearly touching her rear. Every time she braked, he braked harder. Every turn she made, he stayed right behind her. He wanted her to feel as rattled as he did.
After a few miles, the tension started to settle in his chest. He could see her hands gripping the wheel tightly, her shoulders tense. It suddenly hit him—what was he doing? He was acting like a bully, intimidating someone just because he had lost his temper. The moment of fury had passed, but his actions were still unfolding. He felt sick.
At the next turn, he pulled back and gave her space. As she drove off, he gave one final honk, not in anger this time, but as a signal that he was done. He turned his car around and headed home, his stomach twisted in knots.
Jez sat in his driveway for a long time, replaying everything in his head. Yes, the woman had made a dangerous mistake, but so had he. Instead of letting it go, he had let anger control him. He had scared a stranger, not just with words but with his actions. He had been foolish.
He sighed and rested his head against the seat. “God,” he muttered, “I messed up today. I let my anger take over, and I could have hurt someone. Please help me be better. Help me to think before I react.”
A strange sense of peace washed over him. He knew he couldn’t change what had happened, but he could change how he responded next time. Maybe next time, instead of rage, he could choose patience. Instead of intimidation, he could choose understanding.
Tomorrow was another day.
Prayer:
Dear God,
I come before You, humbled by my own weakness.
I let anger control me today, and I see now how foolish that was.
Please help me to be patient, to take a breath before I react, and to show grace even when I feel wronged.
I don’t want my emotions to rule me—I want to be guided by Your wisdom.
Teach me to walk in understanding and to let go of anger before it leads me into sin.
Thank You for Your endless patience with me.
Help me to extend that same patience to others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
