“Throw the ball, 17! Show ’em what you’ve got, 17!” For seven innings a lady yelled, without stopping, at the opposing team’s pitcher and their batters. I was exhausted by hearing her yell for seven innings. Do you know how much energy is required to do that? A part of me wanted to stand up, turn around, get her attention, and tell her to shut up and put the beer down. I didn’t. It would have “stirred up anger” with those who supported her zealous efforts, however alcohol induced they may have been. Maybe it isn’t an obnoxious baseball fan who is pushing you to your breaking point. Maybe it is your spouse, a parent, a child, boss, or customer. There’s a split second window where we have the opportunity to decide whether we will respond with gentleness or with a harsh word. This boils down to learning to control our emotions and surrender our desire to always be right.
It’s funny, to me at least, that so many who do not believe in the power of the spoken word use their negative words so carelessly. Speak with love, even if it is correction or criticism, deliver in love. We can deliver a gentle answer that deters wrath, or we can respond based on emotion and spark a painful argument. Which is honoring to God? Look at Nabal in 1 Samuel 25. Nabal was, as we say in south Alabama, “running his mouth,” and provoking David. But, David did not respond in a negative way although he was angry. In a time of human existence when every breathing human being seems to be offended by the slightest thing, be the one who does not allow the provocative words of others to determine your emotional response. Your composure in the face of conflict will allay great offense. This week, as you carry out your duties wherever you may be, take a split second before responding to those who are pushing you to your limits. Give it to God, speak with love and gentleness, and watch how things begin to shift in your life.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for helping me to watch my thoughts, but I need you to help me watch my words. When I could destroy relationships or the course of someone else’s day, please help me to speak with gentleness and love. May my thoughts and words honor Your great name this week.
Amen
10 But Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are each breaking away from his master. 11 Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men [a]whose origin I do not know?” 12 So David’s young men retraced their way and went back; and they came and told him according to all these words. 13 David said to his men, “Each of you gird on his sword.” So each man girded on his sword. And David also girded on his sword, and about four hundred men went up behind David while two hundred stayed with the baggage.
1 Samuel 25:10-13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1New International Version (NIV)
4 If the ruler’s [a]temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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