Short, simple devotionals are hard to find. Finding time each day can be tough, so we’ve compiled some good Bible verses to reflect on through verse reflections like this from Christian writers. Join us in learning about why the Bible matters and how God can speak to us through it.

Offering Grace to Others

Anger is such an easy emotion to feel, act on, and release (often not in the best of ways). Even as toddlers, we threw temper-tantrums in stores when we didn’t get what we wanted. We don’t always know how to be slow to anger—with our kids (that are now the ones temper-tantruming), our friends that say something off putting, or a loved one we don’t quite agree with. Those situations are frustrating…but it’s a good thing God offers us some guidance on how to deal with them.

Our God is graceful with us, and offering grace to others is a key to slowing our anger. 

Check out Mikaila’s verse reflection about anger in our culture today.

Scripture: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love” (Psalm 145:8).

Written by Mikaila Bisson

Oprah’s March 2021 interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed some challenges they had related to mental health and race during their time as working members of the royal family. In response, the hashtag AbolishTheMonarchy was born, and the monarchy’s reputation was put in jeopardy—something only amplified by the quickness of the internet.

While it seems good to quickly call for justice and explanation, this quickness to anger reflects our world of snap judgments, where we condemn people we don’t even know and close off the potential for relationship without first hearing both sides of a story. When we revel in our flashy anger, we find justification in quickly shutting someone down and not giving them a chance to speak, or grow. I’m glad God isn’t that way!

The Bible talks about God’s “slowness to anger.” Just as he was in the Old Testament, God is also slow to anger with his people—us!—today. Though we mess up daily, God gives us plenty of chances to turn away from what we know to be wrong, and to follow him and his grace instead. This is great news because this shows just how much God values us as children—enough to let us learn from our mistakes. 

Why It Matters

We can extend the grace God shows us by being slow to anger with the people we interact with today. If you disagree with what someone says, resist “cancel culture.” Consider confronting them privately (in love), giving them a chance to explain themselves. By offering grace instead of jumping to anger, we have a chance to strengthen our relationships as we both learn and grow in love and action.

Searching for another Bible verse with reflection? We have more simple devotions to connect with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, and everyday moment of life. Click here to check them out!