Susan yelled at the kids. She didn’t like doing it but it seemed to be happening a lot lately. She sat down for a cup of coffee after supper. A Bible verse on the back of a magazine that was with today’s mail caught her eye.

“A soft answer turns away anger but harsh words stir it up.” (Proverbs 15:1)

She thought about her own responses lately. She knew she often used the stirring spoon of harsh words and raised voice and needed help to put a soft response in its place. She knew she needed to be firm at times but with a gentleness that God could give her.

We need to keep our focus on modelling Christian character, yet we are all dealing with daily life and its challenges too.

Here is a simple exercise that can help us move from “reacting” in our own lives and circumstances to “responding” in the character of Jesus.

Grab a child’s hula-hoop, stand in the middle of it and hold it around your waist. There…that circle that surrounds you represents your area of control. It is your own thoughts, your feelings, your ideas, your passions, your decisions, your words, all that you are responsible for.

Now envision a second larger circle outside the hula-hoop. This is the circle that represents other people’s thoughts, emotions, decisions, passions, ideas and words. You have no control here, only influence.

Think about what’s been happening this week inside your hula-hoop. Have you been reacting to life’s pressures with the stirring spoon of harsh words, raised voice or angry tones? Are thoughts or emotions spiraling you down?

Invite Jesus into the areas of life where reactions are abrasive. He will give His strength where yours is weak. Then you will be less inclined to reach into the next hoola-hoop and try to control the decisions, ideas, words and feelings of others. You will be more aware of the gentle influence you can have when you “respond” with Jesus’ help rather than “react” in your own sandpaper humanness. (Galatians5:22)

Tend carefully what is happening in your hula-hoop and be less concerned about what is going on in others. It will enable you to walk in a freshness of spirit that will impact and influence all your relationships.

Turn your reactions into chosen responses by the power of the Holy Spirit.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• What’s the Tone in Your Home These Days?
• Win the Argument Yet Lose
• A Gentle Answer

The post Respond or React appeared first on Thoughts About God.

I was reminded today of the importance of a kind word.

A surprise hand-written note in the mailbox…with sweet encouragement…and a thank you. Completely unexpected—and deeply appreciated.

Just one way in which God works through us to reach others.

There is power in the words we speak. They can build up or they can tear down.

There have been so many destroying words in the past year. It’s time for more thoughtful, considerate, uplifting words.

Words that encourage.

Words that promote healing.

Words that show thanks and appreciation.

Words that reflect Jesus.

What if each day we showed kindness with the words we speak?

To our family and friends.

To our co-workers.

To the cashier and fellow shoppers.

To the stranger we cross paths with.

To those who inspire us and embolden us to make a difference in the world around us.

“Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”  Proverbs 16:24 ( NLT)

May we choose our words wisely.

By Laura Rath
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  The Power of Kind Words – by Laura Rath

• Fast Of Words: A Different Kind of Fast – by Sylvia Gunter

•  Why is What I Say So Important? – by Dr. Henry Brandt

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The post The Power of Kind Words appeared first on Thoughts About God.

I was so angry last week I wanted to yell. But…with yelling usually comes saying things I shouldn’t. (I kind of know this from experience.) So, before I went huffing and puffing into the next room, I prayed.

I asked God to hold my tongue and not let me say what I was thinking. And then I asked Him to help me calm down and diffuse the emotions that were overcoming me.

I didn’t always know to do this, to ask God to keep me from speaking. And even though I know it now, I still don’t always want to pray first because it means thinking first and speaking second.

Or maybe not speaking at all.

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs15:1 NLT

My words were going to be harsh. Anger does that. It makes us act in ugly ways. But, we can learn to control it…if we want to.

God created us with emotions, and anger is a human emotion. It’s not a sin to be angry, but how we act while angry can be sinful.

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Ephesians4:26-27 ESV

Acting and speaking out of anger fuels the fire in a disagreement. It keeps it going back and forth, and no one wins. Except the enemy. Satan loves it when we give him an easy way in, and uncontrolled anger is an open door.

Whatever I was angry about last week was not worth it. I stayed where I was until I felt calmer. I was still angry, but not like I had been. I believe God answered my prayer by keeping me still and my voice silent. It’s a prayer I’m trying to pray more often.

“A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” Proverbs12:16 NLT

By Laura Rath
Used by Permission

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