Reacting with anger

This was the longest time I've ever spent on a post..you wanna know why?

MEET...

So I apologize for any typos that Lola might have made :p Anyway....

 

You know those words that sting like when alcohol is poured on a cut? Well earlier today something was said to me and it stung. I wouldn't actually say it hurt me, but I knew it wasn't true so I was disappointed in the person who said it. Normally, I would have corrected that person with a witty remark (plus some attitude or passion-not gonna lie, not braggin!), but this time was different. I fought so hard to keep from saying something back. It was like my mouth was open and ready, but my heart and mind were closed. That was a "God thing" (as I call it). I'm not going to lie, I'm still thinking about it and wishing I would have told the person off. However, deep down, I know I shouldn't. When we react impulsively in anger, we often want to retract that choice later or a relationship is damaged. You see, even though it's hard for me and this person to get along at times, I still love him.

Despite what your parents told you when you were little about how "sticks and stones, may break my bones but words will never hurt me", we all know that this commonly used phrase is not true. We may not like to think that it's true and may be a good motto to live by, but we've all had words thrown at us that cut deep. Words are powerful and lasting.  As a Communication Studies major, I learned that communication can never be taken back (you don't really need a degree to know that, but we had a lecture about this once actually!). So you know how people say, "Take it back!"? Even if they "take it back", they really said it and it really can't be taken back. Thankfully, there is forgiveness, but that's for a whole other topic that I'll save for another day.

Main idea - words can hurt. We are called to uplift a person with words, not degrade them. Now, I'll be honest with you I'm talking to myself here. I sometimes forget that my words are powerful enough to uplift or degrade someone. Like I've said, I'm not perfect at all. Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) says, "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." So instead of being rash with my anger, I need to wait and pray that there is a way to reply that will bring healing. If I can't find an uplifting response, then there should be no response at all. Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." If we don't want to be spoken to with degrading words, we shouldn't speak degrading words. Before we speak, let's listen, take a deep breath, think, and trust that God will give us words that will uplift others. Just like the popular saying goes, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all."

Oh you might have noticed something different...I have a NEW blog design!
I love it. I hope you do too!

If you are following along with the year long reading plan, today's scripture is Mark chapters 1-3.