“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” Proverbs 29:11
“I need to vent!” We’ve all most likely heard this phrase or said it at one time or another. I know I am guilty. I am also greatly convicted by this Proverb. Venting is indicative of an outward response to anger lying under the surface. Such an arousal of fume can be traced to a lack of being granted my own way. In other words, venting happens when my selfishness overruns my self-control.
Here are some helpful things to consider the next time you are about to let your emotions spill into spewing sentences and venting venom: Is this something I should pray about? (The obvious answer is almost always, if not always, yes.) Is this an offense that needs to be discussed with the offender rather than venting to someone else? Am I responding in a spirit-controlled manner? Have I spent time trying to understand another point of view on the matter?
Taking a matter to God first is a great way to quietly hold back our emotional outpourings. It’s also a great way to practice being spirit-controlled in our walk. It’s not easy if you’re naturally an expressive verbal processor, but consider the damage control you could have. Being wise is, in part, holding back when we are tempted to give full vent to our raw emotions.
Dear One, let’s ask the LORD to give us grace to walk in wisdom with our emotions, and grant us the discipline of self-control today.