Dear Lord.. remind me…

Thought I’d share this little personal struggle here so I can come back to it and be reminded of my strong resolve.

Choosing a gentle reply doesn’t mean you’re weak; it actually means you possess a rare and Godly strength.

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

It’s the difference between a ‘knee jerk’ reaction and a reply.

Knee jerk reaction is typically a harsh words used to prove how wrong the other person is. NO GOOD EVER COMES FROM THIS!!

I need a preplanned template to keep me from spewing.

1. Begin by honoring the one offended. Not the words spoken or written, but the PERSON. FIND SOMETHING good to say first… then give your well thought out, kind and sensitive reply.

2. Keep your response short and full of grace. The wordier, the riskier. Clarify your response wrapped in grace. STICK TO THE ISSUE AT HAND… not history. And thank them for understanding and extending you grace in the situation.

3. End by extending compassion. Hurting people often hurt people. Sometimes, harsh words, texts or emails are better left unanswered… it may be they person just needed to vent. As I often tell my children: Don’t make their problem yours.

Remember: Honor, Grace Compassion.

Dear Lord, I commit to the challenge of holding my tongue in order to honor, give grace, and have compassion for others. Please give me the strength to do this today.

(And when something really angers me, please help me understand why and deal with it in MY HEART!)

Amen.

*Credit goes to Lisa TerKeusts “Unglued”.