I first saw the car in my rearview mirror, weaving in and out of traffic. It zoomed by, cut me off, passed two cars on the right, zipped back into the left lane, roared past two trucks, and cut sharply to the right before disappearing from view.

I had an impulse to chase the car down and yell at the driver. I even rehearsed what I would say to him.

How are we to deal with a bad driver who threatens our safety? What should we do when an obnoxious customer storms into our office and demands immediate service?

Experts advise us to “get philosophical” by repeating common-sense sayings to help keep our cool. But believers in Jesus Christ have an even better option. We can “get proverbial.” We can turn to the book of Proverbs for wisdom to handle people who behave foolishly. “A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (14:16). “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly” (v.29).

The next time an irritating person barges into your life, ask the Holy Spirit to help you get proverbial. Remember, “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly . . . . But the prudent are crowned with knowledge” (vv.17-18).