April 6, 2018
The Power of a Gentle Answer
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare (Proverbs 15:1, NLT).
Friend to Friend
It had been one of “those” mornings and I was behind schedule in preparing to teach the women’s Tuesday morning Bible study at our church. I am fairly certain I did not exude peace and joy as I rushed around – as my Mama would say - like a chicken with its head cut off. The auditorium was set up correctly. The sound man had my power point ready to go and was waiting to do a sound check. The coffee pot was plugged in and doing its thing. Smiling ladies gathered to greet each other as they arrived. I paused and breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like everything was ready – everything except my heart.
I knew I needed to spend some time alone with God before standing to teach His Word, so I found a quiet room where I could escape for a few minutes of solitude. As I began to pray, the door flew open, crashing against the wall behind it as the husband of one of our group leaders burst into the room. I could tell by the look on his face that he was not happy and that whatever was wrong was definitely my fault. In a very loud and very angry voice, the man began to explain the problem, ending his tirade with the question, "And just what are you going to do about it?"
Sidebar: Guess what lesson I was teaching that particular morning. Remember, God definitely has a sense of humor. The lesson title was "How to Tame Your Tongue."
I knew what I wanted to say to the man. I also knew God didn't want me to say it. In a rare moment of wisdom, I faced my accuser with a smile and whispered, "I'll tell you exactly what I am going to do. I am going to do whatever it takes to make you happy."
I was completely unprepared for the man's reaction. His mouth fell open, his eyes widened in surprise - no, make that shock - and he stumbled backwards as if I had hit him. The silence was deafening. We stared at each other for what seemed like an hour before he finally whispered, "Thank you!" Without another word, the man turned and literally ran out of the room. The most amazing part of this story is that from that day on, he became one of my strongest encouragers.
The Bible works, girlfriend! When God says that a gentle answer “deflects” anger, He really means it. The word “deflect” means “to change course” or “to force the alteration of plans.” When anger is met with love, it is forced to change its destructive course.
The plans of the enemy are altered when they are forced to comply with God’s truth. A sweet response yanks the fuse right out of an emotional time bomb that is set and ready to explode. We need to choose our responses instead of allowing our reactions to dictate the words we speak.
Words are powerful. Words can destroy or build. We need to make the choice today – to respond in the right way to those angry words that are surely headed our way tomorrow.
Let’s Pray
Father, I want to please You and encourage others with the words I speak. Clean my heart, God. Transform my mind and fill my mouth with words that honor and please You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Examine the words you have spoken today in light of the following verses:
Psalm 141:3 “LORD, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say.”
Psalm 20:14. ”May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
How did you do? I encourage you to memorize these two verses. Ask God to let each verse take root in your heart and work its way out in the words you speak.
More from the Girlfriends
Need help with the tough relationships in your life? Mary’s book, Sandpaper People, offers practical steps you can take that will help you deal with difficult people. Bible Study included. Perfect for small group or personal study.
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