Proverbs 19:19

A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

We all have a soft spot when it comes to certain people. We tend to “rescue” them, i.e., to look away, excuse, minimize or explain away things they do or say as a result of their being angry. We all get angry from time to time and do or say rash things because of it. As a result we all need forgiveness and grace.

But when a person lives in a constant state of anger, they open themselves up to:

Bitterness

Irrational thinking

Actions that hurt themselves and others

Damaged fellowship with God

Inability to hear the Holy Spirit clearly

Actions and character that are not Christ-like

If we “rescue” a person who lives in a constant state of anger, i.e., save them from the consequences of their words and actions, they will not change. In fact, the lack of consequences may be interpreted as validation to continue in this way of living. The scope of the “damage” listed above will just get wider and wider over time.

When someone has taken the path of living in a state of anger, then wisdom says, “Stop. Don’t rescue them. They have to experience the full consequences of their actions. That’s the only way they will change.” Otherwise the cycle continues.

The book of Proverbs provides many principles by which we are to live. Wisdom provides the “who, what, when, where, how, and why” concerning the application of those principles.