Jordan and his Master's Thesis

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NIV)

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
Proverbs 28:26 (New American Standard Bible)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15 (English Standard Version)

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 (New International Version)

Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow; you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1 (The Message)

A couple of minutes ago I returned from my dentist’s appointment. The funny thing is that I remembered something I read some days ago while sitting in that comfy dentist’s chair.

When was the last time you had an argument with somebody? If you get offended by someone are you looking for a way to pay him/her back? Or do you keep calm and stay under control? If you are treated unfairly do you react with anger? If that’s the case, you are spreading poison instead of medicine!

Anger is usually caused when the strong desire for something is mixed with disappointment or grief. You don’t get what you want and you start heating up inside. It is often an emotional reaction that flows out of our own selfishness, foolishness, or evil motives.

Patience, however, makes us wise. It doesn’t rush to judgement but listens to what the other person is saying. Patience stands in the doorway where anger is clawing to burst in, but waits to see the whole picture before passing judgement.
(S. Kendrick & A. Kendrick)

People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
Proverbs 14:29 (New Living Translation)

Patience is, where love meets wisdom. And every relationship needs that combination to stay healthy. (S. Kendrick & A. Kendrick)

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (New Living Translation)

Demonstrate patience! Say nothing negative to others even if they hurt you! If you get tempted, choose not to say anything. It is better to keep quiet than to say something you might regret!

I had to think about this while sitting in the dentist’s chair. She had to do a dental imprint of my mandible (for adjusting my braces) so I was forced to enter the state of silence
Perhaps the next time I’m in a dispute with somebody I can remember to put on a lockjaw again