Most of my answers are soft (Proverbs 15:1); however, my
life was filled with people who took me for granted and ignored me unless I
YELLED and unleashed the full fury of my Italian wrath every once in a while.
I always wanted to have a sweet response when someone
stepped on my last nerve, or yanked my chain one too many times, but people
tended not to take me seriously unless I yelled.
Therefore, when the people in my life changed, I had to
practice giving soft answers, to practice choosing to give a reasoned response,
rather than letting my emotions build within me until I simply exploded (Psalm
116:7).
In the ensuing years, God allowed my children to grow up
into responsible adults who live in their own homes. He also gave me a husband
who nurtures and cherishes me.
God helped me to understand that I do not need wrath to
get my point across. All I need to do is to quietly say, "I really want
you to take me seriously, and listen to what I am saying."
Our authority is in Christ, not in our self or the intensity
of our words. In Christ, quietness is our confidence and strength (Isaiah 30:15,
32:17). When two people disagree, they
can always find a compromise.
When we speak with God's authority instead of our own, people
listen. We get the person's attention, share our needs and then relax in
quietness and confidence that the Lord will fight for us, as we wait on Him
(Exodus 14:14).
We can trust that God already placed the seed for a
miracle in every trial, which we will ever encounter. If we water this seed
with faith, patience and confidence in God's faithfulness, a beautiful plant of
blessing will grow.
Prayer:
Father God, remind us that Satan battles for our soul through our mind, choices and emotions. He knows he already lost our spirit to You, but he wants to destroy our soul, and our witness for You (Proverbs 34:13). Help us to choose to step out of our self-effort and into Your authority by the guidance of Your Spirit (Proverbs 16:23; Isaiah 45:22).
Father God, remind us that Satan battles for our soul through our mind, choices and emotions. He knows he already lost our spirit to You, but he wants to destroy our soul, and our witness for You (Proverbs 34:13). Help us to choose to step out of our self-effort and into Your authority by the guidance of Your Spirit (Proverbs 16:23; Isaiah 45:22).
Wounds from our past and ever-occurring wounds in our present life - being belittled, discounted, deprived emotionally or physically, abandoned, insecure and frightened in our heart - will manifest in our words.
Yet, as we trust You, You help us to heal from our wounds.
We will dwell in security and rest (Isaiah 32:18). May our thoughts and words
be pleasing to You as we rely on You as our rock and Redeemer (Psalm 20:14).
Thought for the Day:
As God heals the wounds in our soul, as we relinquish our
pet peeves and idols to Him, as we surrender control of our life to Him and
realize that nothing can happen to us that is not already part of His plan for
us (Isaiah 7:4), then we can think and speak quiet, confident thoughts rather
than broiling negative emotions.
