Disrespectful Spirit (Part 2)

How many times have you been caught in a moment when all you want to do, and have done, is yell out in frustration/anger? God’s word says that we are to give a soft/calm word and it will turn away wrath, but if we give a harsh word it will stir up anger. For most of us giving a soft answer/response is not always the easiest thing to do, especially when the person who is addressing us is already in an angry state. Our first instinct is to get angry with them, whether it is our spouse, kids, other family members or friends. We tend to match the energy the other person is giving off and why not give them the same energy back. Or we are offended by what they said, and from our offense, we lash out with the hurt we are feeling. The soft answer doesn’t just apply to us responding to someone after they first spoke to us but also to us when we are the ones who initiate. We may have a reason to be upset/angry; The kids left a huge mess, the husband forgot to take the trash out or just had a bad day. I know more times than I want to admit I have responded in anger to these situations. Most times it didn’t end well. What God is asking us to do instead is to stop and regroup before we respond. If we respond with an angry hurtful response, that will continue to escalate the situation. Even if there is a righteous reason to be angry, this verse, or any verse, doesn’t give us the okay to respond back in anger. When we stop and regroup and choose to respond with a calmer, softer response it will start to turn the heat down in the conversation. I know that when I am frustrated with my kids and know I need to be softer with my words I will sing what I need to say. It helps me to get into the right attitude even when I am upset. Our responses must continue to be calmer and softer even if the other person is not reciprocating, which will be hard. The best thing to do is to stop and ask God to help us respond in the right way, His way. We can do this even if we have already given a harsh response. There is always time to turn it around and get it right! We have all been on either side of the conversation or situation and have made the choice to give a harsh word. We know that it doesn’t feel good, but we also know that once we start to choose to do the right thing, give a calm soft word, the atmosphere changes and things start taking a turn for the better. Problems can be solved when we talk in an even calm tone and respond out of love. Let’s choose to give a soft word so that we can turn away wrath!