Temper, Temper

Posted by: Brent James on March 8, 2008 Biblical Values •

What makes you mad? Which sort of events set you off? We all have lists of minor irritations causing us to bite our lips or mumble unspeakable things. But blowing your stack? I mean really coming unglued to the point of losing all sense of propriety. The question may seem idle until you think about the implications of losing one’s temper – especially in a critical situation. The type a president faces every day.

Keeping a level head under duress is a true test of character. That doesn’t mean that a leader will, under those circumstances alone, render the best judgment. It does, however, mean that the decision maker stands a much greater chance of successfully analyzing a crisis without emotional discord.

“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 17:27

Bold and fearless, steady and sure. Seeing that kind of leadership in action instills a sense of confidence. How does your candidate stack up? It is important to have answers to this and many other questions of personal performance before the general election. Politicians usually display their best behavior in campaign mode, all the more reason we should look closely for the wrinkles as well.

In the last few weeks there have been reported incidents of political violence. A man in North Carolina smashed an acquaintance on the head with a bat reportedly during an argument over politics while the Clinton/Obama debate was televised. The perpetrator then drove the victim to the hospital. In Pennsylvania, two brothers-in-law argued about the Democratic nomination for president when the Clinton supporter stabbed the Obama supporter in the stomach. Let’s hope our elected leaders can do better than that.

Read. Listen. Vote your Values.

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