On June
6, 1944, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, was the most powerful
man on earth. Under his authority, the largest amphibious army ever assembled
prepared to liberate the Nazi-dominated continent of Europe. How was Eisenhower
able to lead such a vast army? Part of the answer can be linked to his
remarkable skill in working with different kinds of people.
What many
do not know, however, is that Ike hadn’t always gotten along with others. As a
boy, he often got into fistfights at school. But fortunately he had a caring
mother who instructed him in God’s Word. One time, when she was bandaging his
hands after an angry outburst, she quoted Proverbs
16:32, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he
who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Years later, Eisenhower wrote,
“I have always looked back on that conversation as one of the most valuable
moments of my life.” Undoubtedly, by learning to control his anger, Eisenhower
was able to work effectively with others.
Inevitably,
each of us will at times be tempted to lash out in anger. Yet through God’s
work in our lives we can learn to control our anger. What better way to
influence people than through a gentle spirit.
He who
conquers his anger conquers a strong enemy. (RBC)
