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One word. Five minutes to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.
quick thinking
a quick stop
quick-tempered
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So many directions I could go with the prompt "quick" but with only five minutes (give or take! I usually go over by the time I add quotes and all) I need to do some quick thinking and decide which way to go!
I thought of the verse reminding us that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak or get angry. And boy, we all need that reminder because our natural tendency―most of us, I would guess―is to do the exact opposite. We don't want to hear the full story or someone's explanation―we want to skip ahead what we want to say after we've jumped to a conclusion, and we're already building up indignation even if we don't explode right away.
My fuse is not nearly as short as it used to be, but I still have a tendency to quick temper. Not to blow up and have a tantrum at the drop of a hat, but a quick temper in terms of a mental or emotional reaction. My guess is that most people are the same. Maybe the lesson we all could learn is to NOT act or react on that almost immediate impression when we are hurt or surprised or angered. Let's not be triggered. Let's listen and let's consider our response before we say or do something rash.
A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,
and one who schemes is hated.
~Proverbs 14:7~
Spouting off quickly without considering what we are saying can lead to misunderstandings, arguments, hurt feelings, and regrets.
When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred. ~Thomas Jefferson
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
~Ecclesiastes 5:2~
Acting quickly on our quick tempered emotional reaction will usually get us into trouble.
A patient person shows great understanding,
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.
~Proverbs 14:29~
My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness.
~James 1:19-20~
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I keep my good health by having a very bad temper, kept under good control. ~Theodore Roosevelt
I don't have a short temper, I just have a quick reaction to bull****. ~Elizabeth Taylor
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That's an interesting prompt! I like all of the Bible verses you listed as well as the quote by Thomas Jefferson.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see how many different directions bloggers went with this prompt! There was a variety. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteGreat reminder for all of us. I love that Bible verse.
ReplyDelete💗Terri
yes, and I'm very thankful that the Holy Spirit helps with the patience and self-discipline we need! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI like the way you worked in the verse from Ecclesiastes, Kym, I couldn't figure out how to fit it in when I was writing, but you did it. It's the first time I've seen that quote from Thomas Jefferson, so thanks for sharing it. FMF#20
ReplyDeleteI liked that verse but wasn't quite sure it was tied in well. Glad you followed my thinking on that! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI learned to have a quick reaction
ReplyDeleteas easy as my drawing breath,
for in those days, among those factions,
consideration could bring death,
and I brought this home with me
to our green and pleasant land,
and many people got to see
something they did not understand,
a creature that was born and bred
for a hard specific task;
to ask for something else instead
seemed to them not much to ask,
but rough men let the peaceful sleep
and the night-watch dye just runs too deep.
there are certainly times when we NEED to react quickly! And for good or for ill, it's a hard habit to break. Thanks for visiting and contributing another great sonnet!
DeleteKym, we went the same direction but ... I love this >> "Let's not be triggered." Well said!
ReplyDeleteThank you - far too many people too easily triggered in the world today, and hopefully I'm not among them! Glad you stopped by!
DeleteI found it interesting when you put "a quick temper in terms of a mental or emotional reaction." It's true I do quickly have a mental/emotional reaction. I might not say anything, but my face shows my expressions very easily. I need to keep my expressions in control. Hard to do!
ReplyDeleteMy face often says what I am thinking "out loud" and I need to be careful about that! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteIt’s so easy to fall into reaction mode because we’re complicated people with messed up filters. Gods word memorized and carved on our hearts will help us to be triggered toward truth. This is my hope. And thank you for writing and sharing.
ReplyDelete"triggered toward truth" - love it! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteInteresting quote by Theodore Roosevelt. It made me stop and think.
ReplyDeleteYes I enjoyed that quote as one of my humorous ones, but it made me ponder as well. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI feel like I've worked my entire life on calming my quick reactions and likely I'll spend the rest of my life doing the same.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I will spend the rest of my life working on governing my reactions. It's good we have the Holy Spirit to help us, yeah? Thanks for visiting!
Delete