Beautiful Word Devotional #251

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

The book of Proverbs offers us much practical information for life, especially for navigating relationships. Consider the importance of our reactions in a conversation. Our reactions matter because they often prompt what happens next—either the de-escalation of emotion or the fueling of tempers. First, an example of de-escalation.

A grade-school child hollers at you, and you choose to not respond in kind. You lower your voice, get down on his level, and speak gently. Your approach soothes the angry child. Typically, in that situation, the child responds to your quiet gentleness by calming down.

Second, you are arguing with a relative who said something that infuriated you. You react—you retaliate—with unkind words and a raised voice. More often than not, your reaction causes greater anger, and the chain reaction of a nuclear meltdown is under way.

So you have the choice today and every day: respond with quiet grace or react with provocative anger. Which will you choose?

Lord, give me your strength to respond to people with kindness and grace instead of anger that wants to retaliate, amen.