DANIEL 2:12-14: For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave a command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.
Anger has become a major problem in our society, especially when associated with driving. Between 1990 and 1997, 250,000 people were killed in traffic accidents, The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that two-thirds of these road fatalities were caused by drivers who were angry. They not only lost their temper, but they lost their lives as well.
When Daniel was confronted with the king’s edict, it could have given way to anger. The king’s demands were unreasonable. Who ever heard of telling the dream as well as giving the interpretation? Furthermore, it was unfair.
Why destroy all the wise men when not everyone had been given the opportunity to redeem himself? But Daniel knew better than to give way to such futile passions.
Instead, he answered with “counsel and wisdom.” To his credit Daniel first sought information. He checked out the facts to find out what lay behind this seemingly unreasonable edict. Then he spoke with wisdom. Daniel took the time to understand the situation and then offered a practical solution that would both meet the king’s need and save the lives of many innocent people.
Anger can be terribly devastating, especially for Christians. Not only do they suffer the same consequences unbelievers do when they lose their temper, but they also tarnish their testimony before a watching world.
If you struggle with anger, learn to seek counsel and then speak with wisdom. Get the facts straight. Give yourself time to think about the consequences of your anger.
And then, rather than waste your energy on a fit of rage and bring shame to the Lord, ask God to show you how you can resolve the situation for His glory.
ANGER ISN’T ALWAYS WRONG, BUT IT’S SELDOM PROFITABLE.