“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” ~ Proverbs 15:1 (NIV – emphasis mine)Ah, yes gentleness – seen as weakness by world’s standards. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in a heated battle of words not to be gentle. You want to get even when someone yells at you.
I have been in situations when someone got very angry. Not necessarily at me, but because of a certain situation. So what do you do when someone hurls insults at you? Do you get angry as well? Our first impulse (at least for many, myself included) is “yes”!
Have you ever used your gift of gentleness in situations like that? If you are in an argument with someone, stop and pray for the Spirit to fill you with His gentleness. If we react on our first impulse, this argument can get out of hand and we might say something that we later regret. Let Him guide you to speak a gentle word. Is is amazing what can happen. For one thing, both of you will come down. And maybe the person who got angry in the first place will be more open to listen to you. I know it is not easy to say something gentle to someone who is angry. But let me assure you, it is well worth it. You are His light in this world ~ let it shine!
I want to leave you today with a passage from Paul’s letter to Colosse:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” ~ Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV – emphasis mine)
Please remember to submit your entry by Tuesday, January 31st 2006 by 3pm EST. You can find the details regarding your submission here…I am honored to be your hostess this week.
