“He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.” -Proverbs 13:3
My emotions boiled with anger and I wanted to rip my friend apart with a string of curses. Instead, I bit my tongue and walked the other way.
Psychiatrists teach us that if we suppress our feelings, they cause physical and psychological illnesses. I really wanted to express my feelings honestly, but I had no desire to stir up conflict. So, I went home and journaled instead.
From this I realized that when I get upset, I need to use considerate words and articulate the issues that actually bother me, rather than to use malicious words fueled by out-of-control emotions. Outbursts of anger put the other person on the defensive. Then they withdraw from us emotionally, and often physically as well. Or they get on the offensive and strike back at us with the same vehemence we show to them.
This mutual verbal assault solves nothing, especially if it results in physical blows, and it may even escalate with other problems in the future. I decided to follow God’s advice in II Corinthians 13:11 (NAS) “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
Prayer:
Lord, help me use my words to express what actually bothers me. Put a guard on my tongue and help me to tame this most unruly member! Cause me to dwell in peace with all men, including myself! Amen.Thought For the Day:
How do my words communicate God’s love to others?
