A Soft Answer is THE Answer
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 MEV
It happened before I could blink my eyes. All I could see was red – I could feel my blood boiling and my temperature rising. One of my children was pushing my buttons and I could sense I was losing control. You know the age old saying, “You pay for your raising?” Well, I was definitely paying for all the many times my smart mouth got me in trouble with my parents.
I tried to count to ten, then twenty but it was no use. I finally snapped and the crazy monster of the deep emerged.
Why did it always have to get to this point? Why did they have to push my buttons? Why did I have to lose my cool? The shame and the guilt were too much and I finally retreated to the bathroom to cry my eyes out behind a locked door. I’m the worst Mama ever!!! Ever been there?
Well, let me reassure you – you are not the worst mama ever!! You are a great mama and your kiddos are blessed to have you.
But what do we do when we are trying our best to keep it all together and we are pushed to our limits? Our key verse encourages us to speak softly and to keep our cool under pressure. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 MEV
I can assure you when we try to do this within our own power, we will fail! But, when we rely on God’s help then it puts us in the position to walk in victory. As I think about a soft answer, I’m reminded of peace. In Luke 8:22-25, when the disciples were in the boat and the storm came – Jesus spoke to the storm and there was peace. Immediately the winds and the waves obeyed His command. During these times when our kids are pushing our buttons, we can feel like we are in the middle of a storm as our emotions rise high, but a soft, peaceful answer will drive away the storm inside and cancel out any anger.
Our words are important and can either speak life or death over a person or a situation. Proverbs 4:20-23 says,
“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Friend, the more we spend time in God’s word – allowing it to change our thoughts and our actions – the more we become like Jesus and less of ourselves. Only then can we answer softly because we are operating from His position instead of our position. A soft answer is the very best answer when we feel like we are about to lose control.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your word. Thank you for teaching me and guiding me on how to handle situations with my children and with others. You are so amazing to give me exactly the tools that I need to live victorious. Please help me to look to you when I feel like the storm is about to drag me under. Help me to teach my children the right way to handle situations and to lead by example.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Dig Deeper:
“The lips of the wise spread knowledge, not so the hearts of fools.” Proverbs 15:7
“A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed” Proverbs 15:13
Reflection:
Do you find yourself losing your temper more than you would like?
What can you do today to handle these situations better?
List one thing you will do differently with your words.