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THEMARK
OFA
GREATMIND
by
Donald D. Schroeder
Do you know what the mark of greatness is?
W
HO
hasn't been in–
su lted at sorne
time? Or threat–
ened or falsely accused?
Perhaps we experience situa–
tions where individuals are rude
or abus ive to us, lacking tact or
consideration in what t hey say
or do. Perhaps on crowded roads
or highways inconsiderate per–
sons suddenly swerve in front of
us.
How do we respond to such irri–
tating situations?
Many respond with an impulsive
burst of rage or anger: "He can't do
that to me! 1'11 show him ... !"
Then suddenly, a nasty verbal
exchange, or worse, a serious acci–
dent or injury is generated.
The news media are filled with
accounts of human tragedy caused
by lack of emotional control under
unpleasant situations. Many family
and personal problems, costly work
mishaps and even senseless killings
result.
Harmful Emotional Habits
All of us from time to time face the
need to learn control of our emo–
tions under difficult circumstances.
Such control is the mark of a great
mind.
The Bible repeatedly admonishes
us to be
slow to anger.
"A man of
quick temper acts foolishly, but a
man of discretion is patient." " He
who is slow to anger has
great
understanding.
but he who has a
hasty temper exalts folly." "He
who rules his spirit [is better] than
October 1983
he who takes a city" (Prov. 14:17,
29; 16:32, RSV) .
Slow to anger? Patient and con–
trolling thoughts and emotions
under duress? How do we achieve
these qualities of character? What
values, understanding and attitudes
produce them?
The Bible reveals there is a right
time and place for anger (Eph.
4:26). But how do we control our
temper when confronted with
someone's insults or rudeness or
Jack of consideration? H ow can we
control emotions under trying per–
sonal difficulties so we don't
descend into the pit of resentment,
bitterness or depression?
What we need is the right spiritu–
al perspective, attitude and power of
mind! What we need is a positive and
Joving perspective about today's con–
fused world and tbe people in it. We
need a rigbt perspective about per–
sonal problems and difficulties that
will enable us to cope with them in a
beneficia! way.
Why Try?
Sorne may ask, "Why should I try
to qui t blowing up under frustra–
tions, or insults, or from mistakes
of otbers?"
We all need to for very impor–
tant reasons. First, without human
effort to control anger and damag–
ing emotions, the glue of social
cooperation and trust quickly
breaks down.
For another, learning to properly
control and express our emotions
saves us an enormous amount of
wear and tear on our-and other
people's-health and energy. It
helps us find and work out con–
structive solutions to upsetting sit–
uations and problems. And it may
prevent our losing a job, or save our
marriage, or even save life- per–
haps by helping avoid a costly acci–
dent, or avoid provoking a reprisal
from someone.
But there is a far greater reason
for disciplining one's temper anq
emotions. There is a great purpose
in human life! God created human–
ity with an awesome potential. That
potential is the capacity, with God 's
help, to develop the kind of charac–
ter God has.
" Let us make man in our image,"
said the Creator (Gen. 1:26). God
first made man in his physical image.
God also intended mankind to devel–
op character after bis spiritual image
- his character.
In the Bible the Creator reveals
knowledge of how this great char–
acter can be developed. This knowl–
edge mankind must know so as to
live abundantly and peacefully with
others and in his environment.
Without developing right self–
control and character no one can be
given great powers- not in this
physical life nor as future rulers in
God's soon-coming kingdom.
How do we develop this mind?
What are its qualities? To appre–
ciate the greatness of these quali–
ties we must understand the quali–
ties and causes of wrong attitudes
and character.
True Cause of Man's Problems
Most of man's mental and emotion–
al problems are
spiritual
in nature.
Our dealings with other humans
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