"A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger. " (Prov.15:1)
Of all the verses I remember being used in my home as I grew up... this one may have been quoted the most often.
I KNOW, not think... but I KNOW the truth of these words. I have lived them out both ways so many times, and never have I found a harsh word to be healing, to me or to the person receiving it.
I've told my husband, and he has told me... 'it's the WAY you said it'... it either brings a good and productive response, or makes me want to stand straight up and explain how wrong he is!
This quote caught my eye on Pinterest one day, as I thought... this is not anything new, God spoke about it right from the beginning, and He knew it was something we needed to learn.
It's not 'my way' or 'your way', but the RIGHT way... God's way!
I've never been disappointed when I obey God on this. Instead, I am blessed, the 'fire' is quickly extinguished, and peace returns.
19 comments:
So, so true...and what a huge truth it is...how many times would an argument stop if the tone was different...that is one reason texting can be good or bad...you can't hear the tone!!
Oh goodness, how true this is! A "tone" can say soo much more sometimes than even what was actually said. I agree with Janette too. A text or an email can be hard to interpret sometimes, as it is easy to read a tone into that might not even be there. The minute I read your post title, that scripture popped right into my head. Now I need it to pop right into my head anytime I feel myself ready to speak with a tone, haha.
Forced to agree with you.
You are so right. It's wonderful, too, that IF you can just catch yourself with the harsh tone, etc. and actually stop, regroup, you can usually redeem the moment. I find if I am just willing to be honest and admit to my own "tone" or attitude, the other person is nearly always willing to start again.
Oh I so agree! It really depends on how you say something. And I have to add that sometimes it's best to talk face to face with a person. I've had times when people emailed me something and the tone of the email got me all upset. I'm sure it was an overreaction on my part though.
have you ever heard seinfeld do his routine about
adjusting to a wife? he says that his wife says,
"don't use that TONE with me." he says, "i didn't
even know i HAD a tone!"
This made me think. 90 % of the conflicts...are due to the wrong tone of voice.
What I could have avoided if I had been more aware of this.
I cannot blame all my wrongdoings on being way too unmusical.
After all, I am a good listener to music, even if I am a poor singer.
I simply have no excuse, but thanks to the Lord; his grace is new every morning.
I will make a printout of today's message. It's way too important to be "forgotten". I will paste it on my fridge door and make it a part of my daily manna.
Praise the Lord for new mornings and new beginnings.
"Soft answers" are sometimes the hardest ones to use, arent' they? :)
Blessings to you - Marsha
great word today my friend.
How true! Attitude, posture & tone say far more than words. We can be so right, but so very wrong at the same time.
What a great reminder. I needed this one today.
It's so very true and I thank you for such a good reminder of that today. I should put that quote up on the frig where I can see it at all times.
Hugs~
Oh, how I have to tone DOWN my tone.....I tend to be a TELL IT LIKE IT IS kinda gal....and my little students often get more than they bargained for in a fourth grade teacher. Hmmmmmmmm.....timely message dearest. Thank you.
Anita
I agree-words have the ability to give life or bring destruction. Thanks for a great post.
Hugs, Noreen
ha! you really tried it and it worked? eureka!!!
Amen! God's way is always the right way.
I'm sure glad that bloggers can't always see my body language and hear my tone of voice. But I must never forget that God always does.
Yes, so very true!
You know, it's one of my pet peeves about emails and texting - you just can't "read" someone's tone of voice. I much prefer voice communication.
So, here's my words - and my tone is loving - GOD BLESS YOU, Sonja!
Timely reminder! Lord, protect others from my mouth... a constant, constant prayer of my heart.
peace~elaine
A rich necessary word!
Love you!
Sonja, My son-in-law fixed my computer and now I can continue to comment on some of the blogs I so enjoyed commenting on in the past. Your's being one of them. Everytime I would type out a comment, I would lose it when I went to post it.
I just want to tell you what a joy and blessing you are in my life, via your blog. Time and time again, I leave here grateful that I came. This post especially resonates with me and I could not agree with it more. In fact, would you mind if I used it on one of my posts. It is just the best reminder and I have found it to be so true! God's ways are always best, a soft answer included. This spoke to me and encouraged my heart today. Thank you!
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