Do you remember the old fable about the contest between the wind and the sun? It seems they got into an argument over which one of them was the most powerful.
An elderly man in a tattered coat came walking down the path. The wind challenged the sun to see which one of them could get the man’s coat off.
Confident in his own strength, the wind went first. He began blustering and blowing with all his might, ripping at the edges of the tattered coat. But the poor old man ducked his head, hunched his shoulders, and pulled the coat more tightly to his chest.
When at last the mighty wind gave up, it was the sun’s turn to shine. The sun slipped out from behind the clouds and beamed down on the old man so gently—and warmly— that the man immediately removed his coat and folded it over his arm.
This story always reminds me of the truth of Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” In our relationships with others, we often take an aggressive posture. Like the blustering wind, we try to win the point—or the argument—by overpowering and intimidating the other person. We blast him or her with the full force and strength of our sharpest words. But seldom does this approach produce the results we’re looking for. Often we achieve the exact opposite!
The Scripture tells us there is a better way. Whether we’re giving or receiving constructive criticism, settling an argument, or addressing a sensitive situation, we’d do well to remember the wisdom of Proverbs 15:1 and the power of a “gentle answer.”
Take It To Heart!
Can you think of a problem or circumstance in your life that was exacerbated by harsh words?
How could it have been handled differently?
What about a situation where a gentle answer saved the day?
Pray that God will give you gentle answers for the difficult people and circumstances that come into your life today.
Read James 3:3-18. Write down the areas that you need to work on.
The Scripture tells us there is a better way. Whether we’re giving or receiving constructive criticism, settling an argument, or addressing a sensitive situation, we’d do well to remember the wisdom of Proverbs 15:1 and the power of a “gentle answer.”
Take It To Heart!
Can you think of a problem or circumstance in your life that was exacerbated by harsh words?
How could it have been handled differently?
What about a situation where a gentle answer saved the day?
Pray that God will give you gentle answers for the difficult people and circumstances that come into your life today.
Read James 3:3-18. Write down the areas that you need to work on.
Taken from : Take it to Heart by Christin Ditchfield
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