Proverbs 15:1

I love proverbs, a lot of them are usually short little truths that pack a big punch. This is one of those big punches. I don’t know about you, but when someone speaks to me harshly my initial reaction is to be harsh back. There is a trigger that I feel in my stomach that just has to be pulled because if I don’t pull it, then the person speaking to me in this way will continue to disrespect me, and I don’t deserve that… at least I don’t think I do.

The problem with this response is, it usually only makes matters worst. Remember what we learned as children; two wrongs don’t make a right? Well, that’s still true for adults, even more so for Christians. As Christians, we need to do a lot more thinking before speaking because when we do, we give ourselves time to listen to God. When I find myself in a heated situation, I found the only thing that anchors me and keeps me from pulling the trigger is when I pray first before I respond. Just a quick, heartfelt prayer up to God asking for help to speak love to this person speaking very angrily towards me.

When I slow down enough to listen to God, I find myself in a position of self-control that is then able to speak tenderly or softly to this person and then this person usually calms down. We are then able to address the problem and speak rationally to each other instead of having a conversation fueled with unbridled fury.

Remember this the next time you find yourself in this situation and watch God show Himself off in you.

Pastor Jason Witt