Which Dad Is Coming Home?
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”Proverbs 16:32 (KJV)
Some children wait by the window to see what kind of mood their parent is in. If the deal closed, it is a good night. If it didn’t, everyone walks on eggshells.
That is a heavy thing for a family to carry. When our emotions are tied to our circumstances, the people we love end up paying for the bad days.
Proverbs puts it plainly: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Ruling your spirit is harder than winning a battle. But it is what makes a home safe.
That kind of steadiness doesn’t come from willpower. It is fruit: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” and meekness and temperance. Ask God to grow it in you, so your family knows which version of you is coming home, whatever kind of day it was.
Read it yourself
Read Galatians 5:16–26. Compare the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. Which fruit do you most need?
Does your family know which version of you is walking in the door?
Holy Spirit, grow your fruit in me. Make me steady for the people who depend on me. Amen.