Of all the heavy things you can think of, anger is one of the worst! As it turns out, the anger of the foolishly unteachable is a weight they drag around all the time.
The Danger of Stones
What are stones good for?
Well, they’re useful for building a stone wall. For instance, see Proverbs 24.30-31. That said, those walls require maintenance, thus diligence on the part of the owner.
Diligence is your key into leadership. Conversely, laziness is your ticket to staying where you are! Proverbs 12.24 paraphrase
Next, small stones are good as a weapon. For example, see Proverbs 26.8. Also, see First Samuel 17.40. As it turns out, a small stone can take down a giant!
The David and Goliath story in 1 Samuel 17 is a great example of seizing an opportunity disguised as a “giant” challenge!
However, a stone can be a picture of setting a trap. To see an example, read Proverbs 26.27. As divine equity would have it, I may be crushed by the trap I set!
Finally, Proverbs 27.3 focuses on the weight of the stone. In addition, the verse is a comparison because it equates the weight of a stone or sand to the heaviness of anger.
Therefore, a stone can be good or bad. It depends on how it’s being used. But, what isn’t good is the anger of the foolishly unteachable.
Who’s Unteachable?
The Hebrew word evil is often translated fool and foolish. For example, the unteachable fool hates instruction, Proverbs 1.7 and resists authority, Proverbs 15.5.
Generally, it’s a waste of time trying to teach the unteachable, Proverbs 16.22.
Moreover, regardless of the rationale presented, an unteachable person is argumentative, Proverbs 29.9.
Thus, in plain English, “nobody can’t tell a fool nothing” because they know it all already, Proverbs 12.15!
The Weight of No Self-control
The foolishly unteachable lack self-control. Hence, they have problems with anger. However, don’t misread this behavior as forcefulness or directness.
In reality, the issue is an inability, or lack of desire, to control how I respond to others or to situations.
Proverbs 27.3 focuses on the weight of uncontrolled anger. In fact, it constantly drags down everyone who deals with it.
Similarly, Proverbs 12.16 emphasizes just how uncontrolled the foolishly unteachable are because their anger is immediate. In contrast, critical thinkers avoid these flashes of anger.
How Heavy is Anger?
The use of the word wrath in Proverbs 12.16 and 27.3 suggests a flash of anger that’s problematic.
As it turns out, the same Hebrew word is used in Isaiah 21.15 in the phrase “the grievousness of war.”
Depending on the version, the Hebrew word that’s translated wrath or grievousness is also translated stress, distress, severity, and press.
Thus, the outcome of anger is destructive!
Likewise, the Psalmist recognized the weight of poor choices, saying “my sins are heavy – too heavy to carry!” (Psalm 38.4 paraphrase).
Conversely, I do have an out. See Matthew 11.28-30.
Therefore, uncontrolled anger is a weight I carry because it’s a constant source of grief to myself and to others.
In short, anger is a weight to be dragged around. And, it causes much grief in my life.
So then, anger reduces my effectiveness and my influence as a leader. Thus, the anger of the foolishly unteachable is costly.
Leadership Insight
Why am I angry?
I know – because someone made me angry!
As it turns out, blaming others is simply a way out! In fact, I choose anger.
Why? Because for many leaders it has become a response pattern we fall into without thinking. However, if I choose anger I can choose other responses. Better responses.
First, I must be aware of my own feelings inside. That requires self-awareness plus a pause to consider what’s happening.
However, despite awareness, I know from personal experience that it’s not easy to set aside a lifetime of embedded responses.
Second, I need to think critically about what’s in front of me. For instance, I may be making inappropriate assumptions about the motives of others or the facts of this case.
Thus, apply the railroad track analog of stop, look, and listen you heard when learning to drive!
Third, I choose differently – on purpose! I purposefully choose a different response. A response that leads to a constructive solution.
If I choose anger I can choose other responses. Thus, better responses. Also, responses that produce constructive solutions,as well as personal and professional growth.
I choose not to carry the weight of my anger. Instead, I choose to set aside that weight for more constructive responses.
Therefore, I choose to grow as a leader in my interpersonal capabilities because I set aside the anger of the foolishly unteachable.
Personal Observation
As a college student, I worked as a co-op student at a Federal agency in Washington, D.C. Down the hall from me was a mid-level executive.
He had an unflattering nickname. Obviously, not one that coworkers repeated to his face!
In my time assigned to that office I noticed something strange. Almost without fail, other mangers who were existing his office were yelling back at him!
In short, I saw a lot of angry responses aimed at one person.
Why? Well, because he was a jerk!
That said, many others chose to respond to him in anger when they were unable to reason with him. Note I said “many others” not just “some” others!
The Danger of Being Clueless
One obvious takeaway is that being insensitive to how others perceive me is destructive to my career.
If I generate lots of anger I’m the problem!
Similarly, as a college student, I observed that anger does nothing to “fix” the object of that anger because they simply don’t get it!
Why? Because they’re clueless to the “why” of these repeated and very negative interactions.
Therefore, the anger of the foolishly unteachable stems from no self-awareness and an unwillingness to change. Likewise, it’s equally foolish to direct anger at someone who is foolishly unteachable.
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