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The wise writer of Proverbs 24:5 offers these words, as paraphrased by Peterson: It’s better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. “Really?” we ask. “But our world is so terribly impressed with the old push and shove.” Not so fast, the wise writer offers, and so we must pause and ask ourselves with some honestly: “Am I prone to flex my muscle so as to get my way, or do I employ a wise and loving spirit so that God Almighty may work through me?”

King Solomon once penned, “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27). I’m quite convinced that by “cool” he does not mean to imply hip. Rather, I think it has to do with an inner-calm, not the hot or even explosive demeanor that can too easily characterize many a person. Calm, cool and collect. Restraint. Understanding. Oh that this would define even me!