Learning to Speak Correctly

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

The New Living translation says it like this; “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”

My mother raised six boys, my father was present, but he worked a lot, I wonder where I picked up that trait from. Anyway, my mother pretty much ruled the roost. You could deal with my mother in two ways, resist and receive her correction or the most excellent way, comply and be spared the wrath. Life was not miserable for me, I was the youngest, so I learned by example of how things went from my older brothers. I was not perfect by all means, but I was given prime examples of what to do and what not to do.

The brother next to me was the tester of authority, it did not go well with him most of the time. Speaking back to my mother unfavorably bought him discipline. So, I learned to comply was to overt trouble.

I’m still not perfect at deflecting anger from people, but I have learned to not engage in a fight by returning anger for anger.

Prayer:

Lord, despite what my mind says, close my mouth. Despite what people are going through, teach me to silence the storm with words of grace. In Your name Lord Jesus, Amen