Defusing Anger

Defusing Anger

Q: What turns away anger?

• a. a gentle answer
• b. a man with many friends
• c. doing good

Have you ever tried to argue in a pleasant tone of voice? Probably not. When you argue, you use a harsh or loud voice. There is usually a lot of anger. For example, imagine you get home and find your bicycle knocked over in the driveway when you know you left it propped up. Your brother is nearby.

“You knocked my bike over. Pick it up.”

“You pick it up. You left it right in my way.”

“You always leave your junk lying around. Pick my bike up or I’ll . . .”

The situation quickly turns into a fight. Voices are raised. Threats and put-downs are made.

Want to know the best way to ruin an argument? Give a pleasant answer, or as the Bible says, “a gentle answer.” Occasionally you will run into someone who is so determined to fight that nothing helps, but with most of your friends, you’ll find it works. Next time someone speaks to you in an angry voice, try it. Instead of yelling back or making a threat or accusation, respond in a calm voice with a comment:

• “How can I help you with this?”
• “What do you need me to do?”
• “It sounds like you’ve had a bad day.”
• “Let’s talk about it.”

You may not feel like giving a pleasant answer, but someone has to be the peacemaker. Let it be you.

For You

Use kind words to defuse anger. When you do that, you are modeling Jesus’ love for others.

Answer: a

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.   Proverbs 15:1

(The Whole Story: Proverbs 15)