Are you more like a thermostat or a thermometer? A thermostat sets and controls the temperature in a room or space. It functions to manage and maintain a desired temperature. Thermostats serve as a manager or governor. A thermometer on the other hand is an instrument for measuring. A thermometer simply measures the existing temperature. You can look at a thermometer and see, “Is the temperature rising or falling?”

These two instruments perfectly describe two people – a fool and a wise man mentioned in Proverbs 29:11 “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” Another reading of this verse says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

Fools release their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. The fool is the thermometer, he’s out of control while the wise man is a thermostat and maintains control.

Anger is a strong emotion and manifests itself primarily in our various relationships. How we react to or respond to anger whether welling up in us toward others or being waged at us by others is critical to our well-being. Anger negatively impacts us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It robs us of rest and peace, when not handled well.

Perhaps you are familiar with the idioms “hot under the collar” and “cool as a cucumber. The origin of “hot under the collar” comes from the fact that anger or aggression generally causes a person’s face and neck to become red, sweaty and hot. When someone is angry and out of control you can see it in their face and neck. Their countenance is agitated, and feelings of anger are clearly visible.

“Cool as a cucumber” (Sorry just I had a flashback to Larry Boy from Veggie Tales) means someone is very calm, relaxed, and in control of their emotions. Someone who is not affected by pressure. You may ask what’s a vegetable got to do with this? It’s interesting, in hot weather, the inside of cucumbers are approximately 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. That’s a great mental picture, isn’t it? When you are in a relational situation and the outside temperature is rising rapidly, the person who is more like a thermostat is like a cucumber, calm and cool on the inside.

Scripture tells us “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”  “Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself, it tends only to evil.”   “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”

So, what will it be for you? Will you be a thermometer or a thermostat, “hot under the collar” or “cool as a cucumber?”

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