Count to ten....

Psalm 4
Interlude
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1 Answer me when I call,

O God who declares me innocent.

Take away my distress.

Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people ruin my reputation?

How long will you make these groundless accusations?

How long will you pursue lies?

Interlude

3 You can be sure of this:

The LORD has set apart the godly for himself.

The LORD will answer when I call to him.
4 Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you.

Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Interlude

5 Offer proper sacrifices,

and trust in the LORD.
6 Many people say, "Who will show us better times?"

Let the smile of your face shine on us, LORD.
7 You have given me greater joy

than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine.
8 I will lie down in peace and sleep,

for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.

When people lash out at you our first thought is often to lash out and attack back. It seems the natural thing to do when tempers are rising and things get hot. Especially when your reputation and character are being questioned.

But when this happens pause – use one of those interludes. Forget for a moment the manner in which people are examining you. Make sure that your behaviour is actually righteous. Make sure that what is being questioned is actually something which is honouring to God. And if it is, as David says here, trust in God to put tings right, because over time he will honour those who honour him.

Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. The trouble is that arguments can spiral out of control simply because we escalate our anger with every exchange. In the big quarrels and the petty disagreements step back and use those interludes again….