By Adesewa Martha Martins

It is a beautiful day. I just wanted to remind you that there is a possibility that you can be on your own, minding your business and drinking water, but the people of the world would just refuse to let the daughter and the son of Zion be great.

Those moments where someone steps on your toes, or how a stranger you meet at a shopping mall queue or a bank queue will be rude to you for no reason at all

Or is it how a friend or colleague offends you and instead of rendering an apology, they still try to make it look like it’s all your fault? And even though you want to call them up and change perspective for them or give them gbas gbos, you know deep down in your heart that you are a Child of the Highest God and we don’t do that in this corner.

You also recall moments where you have had a crazy day at work and you are just trying to get home In one piece, but then you find yourself in traffic and as if that’s not bad enough, one driver will selfishly decide to drive a certain way that could either ruin the car you have been managing till a better one comes or even cause an accident.

Before you know it, you that has been controlling yourself since has yelled out “oo fe Ku sha (You want to commit suicide)”  “abi werey ni eleyi ni? (Are you mentally retarded)” or “Where did you learn how to drive, Cow?!”

The truth is, people of God, there are a lot of temptations that we come across every day, on our way to work, at work, in the market, in the bank, in church, and even in our own homes.

A lot of times it just seems unavoidable, like you can’t determine or predict who is going to piss you off. Even though sometimes you need to address some of them when they happen, you don’t need to respond to every single one. That is why we must keep our tempers in check and have a reasonable amount of self-control.

Trust me it’s not an easy thing to do especially when the fault is not yours, but here are some scriptures to remind you why it is important for you not to react to every situation even though deep down in your heart you desperately want to

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

This means that you can walk away from the conversation without any altercation taking place.

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Again, don’t say a word; just walk away till you are calmer and ready to talk about it.

1 Corinthians 6:12

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

You can only decide to slap that person oh, or say whatever it is that you have got in your mind to say, but is it gonna be beneficial at the end of the day? Before you react, think about that!

Philippians 4:13

This one is essential for those moments where you are like “Father Lord, I am trying my best, I am trying to walk away but these haters keep testing me”

Just remember what Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”. Hallelujah!

and lastly!

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

So before you open your mouth waaaaaa and be talking anyhow, think about it, there is power in my tongue, this stuff I want to say, is it going to make this situation better or worse, is it going to give life or cause death?

I hope these Bible verses help. Remember God’s grace is sufficient for you. God bless you