The Power of a Gentle Answer

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

Wouldn’t you rather hear a gentle word than a harsh, sarcastic or insensitive one? I remember once being in a situation that made me very angry and I wanted to lash out at another. I shared my frustration over this situation with a friend who suggested something I’ve never forgotten; she suggested I imagine I had an angel sitting on my tongue! We should always guard our hearts so that our comments and responses to others would never stir up anger but instead would bring honor and glory to God. When an angel sits on our tongue our words are more likely to be pleasing to the Lord and turn away the wrath of others. Guarding our hearts and tongues helps us to consider the feelings of others and to think before we speak. I certainly want my words to be pleasing to God’s ears as well as to the ears of others today and everyday.

I love this short prayer that I once heard; “Lord make my words today tender and sweet for I may have to eat them tomorrow”. Thoughtless words or words spoken in anger not only stir up a lot of trouble they have a tendency to leave a very bitter taste behind and sometimes the aftertaste lingers a very long time.