Day 17 – Words Attract: Soft answers
“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
Very guilty, I must raise my hand here. I wasn’t always as patient as I am today and giving a soft answer in heated situations not my speciality. I was always ready to retaliate with unseasoned words and ready to tell the person to go to a very warm place; informing them exactly why they’ve upset me and with that, what I thought of them! Sounds familiar?
As I grew in spirit, I soon realised the implications of my harsh words. I had a lot of apologies to give and a rocky road of repenting these harsh words. The Holy Spirit, the gentleman that He is, gently and patiently taught me to think before I speak in angered situations. My emotion, opinion and humanity shouldn’t rule the answers I give – because little old me can stir up a lot of anger if I speak from myself.
A soft answer is words spoken in the love and truth of God. Saying a hard thing to someone with love and truth (accompanied by the Holy Spirit) might be the softest answer they’ve heard. And maybe the answer to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing to say is the same.
Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching me the value and importance of soft answers. Thank You Holy Spirit for ever guiding me in situations where I’m not always sure how to answer. May the Truth and Love of God always be audible in my answers. Amen.
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