Two-minute read.
Communication has two aspects: sending and receiving. How we send things to someone determines how they will receive it, and since we communicate more through our body language than words, replying with a gentle answer requires total self-control.
Some people enjoy fighting, but I don’t. Negative emotions require too much energy and don’t produce anything productive; they waste time. When under attack, only the strength of the Lord helps me restrain my natural response. My entire body tenses up, and I quickly go on the defensive.
Responding with a gentle answer doesn’t add fuel to the flame and helps diffuse the situation. In retail, we learned to lower our tone, which caused grumpy customers to have to stop and listen, breaking the rhythm of their rant. I struggle not to engage when someone attacks me, but I’ve made significant progress in not letting them get to me. Since I used harsh words as a protective measure for many years of my life, I’ve got a knack for annihilating someone with my words.
Thankfully, Christ has transformed me and helped me let go of that protective technique, trusting Him instead with my pain and allowing the Savior to make me whole again. Jesus always spoke with gentle words, even when beaten and bloody, during His persecution. Through Him, we can respond gently, controlling our emotions and avoiding escalation of the situation.
Give Jesus control of your communication and watch as He transforms your life.
Journal Question:
What does sending and receiving information mean to you?
In what ways can you strengthen your communication skills?
How can you respond with a gentle answer amid chaos?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for setting an example of gentleness for us. Please help us respond with love when we come under attack. Let us speak gentle words, as you did, and diffuse tense moments.
IJNIP. Amen
