Proverbs 30:33
For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.

Churning. Twisting. Stirring. The friction of one object on another produces something. Sometimes, the product is good. I like butter. Sometimes the product is not so good. I have never enjoyed my nose being bloodied. And then there is the inevitable product of anger. That’s never pretty.

Strife, the product of anger, is a little word with a lot of meaning. It includes careless words that pierce like a sword. It describes reckless fists that land painful blows. Strife ends friendships, relationships, and marriages. Strife causes sons and daughters to breathe a sigh of relief when they head off to college and return as infrequently as possible. Strife at work makes the day long. Strife at home keeps husbands and wives at work longer. Strife keeps controversies going. Strife makes sure petty quarrels continue.

The friction of anger produces strife. But it doesn’t have to. Instead of “pressing anger,” submit it to God. Place your emotions under the control of the Holy Spirit that lives within every believer. He is more than capable of turning your swirling emotions into Spirit-controlled peace.

Father, when I feel it coming on…when my emotions start to get the best of me…take hold of my heart…control my emotions…produce the Spirit’s fruit instead of regretful strife. In Jesus’ name. Amen.