One morning in Perth, Australia, Fionn Mulholland discovered his car was missing. That’s when he realized he had mistakenly parked in a restricted zone and his car had been towed away. After considering the situation—even the $600 towing and parking fine—Mulholland was frustrated, but he decided not to be angry with the person he would work with to retrieve his car. Instead of venting his feelings, Mulholland wrote a humorous poem about the situation and read it to the worker he met at the tow yard. The worker liked the poem, and a possible ugly confrontation never took place.

一天早晨，住在澳洲珀斯的穆赫兰发现他的车子不见了。此时，他才意识到自己不小心将车子停在禁区内，车子被拖走了。想到必须缴付600澳元的拖车费与违规停车罚款，穆赫兰就感到非常懊恼，但他决定不迁怒于负责将他车子取回的工作人员。于是，他非但没有发泄自己的怒气，反倒写了一首幽默的短诗描述此事，并且朗读给在拖车场的一位工人听。对方非常喜欢这首诗，原本可能会上演的激烈争吵也消弭无形。

The book of Proverbs teaches, “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife” (20:3). Strife is that friction that either simmers under the surface or explodes in the open between people who disagree about something.

圣经箴言教导我们：“远离纷争是人的尊荣”（20章3节）。所谓的“纷争”，是指人与人之间因为观点不同，导致私下有摩擦冲突，或公然爆发怒火。

God has given us the resources to live peacefully with other people. His Wordassures us that it’s possible to feel anger without letting it boil over into rage (Eph. 4:26). His Spirit enables us to override the sparks of fury that prompt us to do and say things to strike out at people who upset us. And God has given us His example to follow when we feel provoked (1 Peter 2:23). He is compassionate, gracious, and slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Ps. 86:15).

上帝已赐下让我们与他人和睦相处的资源。祂的话语让我们知道，生气可以不必演变成雷霆之怒（以弗所书4章26节） 。祂的灵使我们能够熄灭那愤怒的火苗，不以行动或言词，去回击那些惹恼我们的人。祂也赐下榜样，使我们在被激怒时，能够效法主耶稣（彼得前书2章23节） 。祂是有怜悯、有恩典的上帝，不轻易发怒，并有丰盛的慈爱和诚实（诗篇86篇15节） 。

Dear God, Please help me to manage my anger in a way that does not lead me into sin. Give me self-control through the power of Your Holy Spirit.

亲爱的上帝，求祢帮助我能控制自己的怒气，
使我不致犯罪。求祢藉着圣灵的能力，
使我能够自我节制。

Proverbs 20:1-15New International Version (NIV)

20 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
    whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
    those who anger him forfeit their lives.

3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.

4 Sluggards do not plow in season;
    so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but one who has insight draws them out.

6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?

7 The righteous lead blameless lives;
    blessed are their children after them.

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
    I am clean and without sin”?

10 Differing weights and differing measures—
    the Lord detests them both.

11 Even small children are known by their actions,
    so is their conduct really pure and upright?

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
    the Lord has made them both.

13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
    stay awake and you will have food to spare.

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
    but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

整理：于姊妹