It takes 2 to have an argument. Two of the worst things you can do in a disagreement is to walk away and not talk about it. Pushing off and ignoring something will not make it go away, it will grow even bigger. Communication is so incredibly important. Confront issues head on but to do with a gentle voice, do not raise your voice just to prove a point because this will cause anger. If you have ever raised your voice before (we all have) you see how easily conflict intensifies when voices are loud and aggressive.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger." (V1) This ties back to Ch13V3 where it is talking about how important it is to guard our lips. I had talked then about taking a moment to pause before speaking, we should do this before responding. Ask yourself, is what you are upset about worth degrading your character for the sake of proving a point, or proving that you are right and they are wrong? Words mean a lot. They can hurt so bad but saying nothing at all can also be just as hurtful.
Talk wisely and watch the tone you talk with. Verse 4 says, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." As I said earlier, words have the power to destroy and they have the power to heal.
Be someone who speaks with hope, encouragement... someone who speaks wisely and advises people wisely. Let everything out of your mouth be beautiful.
The 'tree of life' is a metaphor and is referring to spiritual renewal and spiritual refreshment. Be that to people!
Yesterday in church my Pastor was talking about prayer, the importance of prayer in our lives as christians. In Philippians 4:6 I love what it has to say, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Prayer is a holy communion with God. It is not (or shouldn't be) just a line or two uttered before dinner at night because it is now habit, it shouldn't be something we do only when we are in need. God wants your heart, he wants that communion with you, his dear child. We are to take everything to God constantly, seek to connect with him, let him change your heart, let him mold your heart to be more like his.
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." (V13) Find joy in everyday. God has blessed you with so much. Yes hard times will always come but do not let that steal your joy because your joy is in the Lord, it is eternal, set on higher ground and not based on circumstances.
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but many advisers they succeed." (V22) There is a saying that 'two heads are better than one' and it is true. This doesn't mean that you are to do what anyone tells you to. God must ultimately be your leader. It is telling us to LISTEN and weigh it into our decision. But be careful who you go to for advice as I mentioned before, words are powerful.
Bethany Joy
"A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger." (V1) This ties back to Ch13V3 where it is talking about how important it is to guard our lips. I had talked then about taking a moment to pause before speaking, we should do this before responding. Ask yourself, is what you are upset about worth degrading your character for the sake of proving a point, or proving that you are right and they are wrong? Words mean a lot. They can hurt so bad but saying nothing at all can also be just as hurtful.
Talk wisely and watch the tone you talk with. Verse 4 says, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." As I said earlier, words have the power to destroy and they have the power to heal.
Be someone who speaks with hope, encouragement... someone who speaks wisely and advises people wisely. Let everything out of your mouth be beautiful.
The 'tree of life' is a metaphor and is referring to spiritual renewal and spiritual refreshment. Be that to people!
Yesterday in church my Pastor was talking about prayer, the importance of prayer in our lives as christians. In Philippians 4:6 I love what it has to say, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Prayer is a holy communion with God. It is not (or shouldn't be) just a line or two uttered before dinner at night because it is now habit, it shouldn't be something we do only when we are in need. God wants your heart, he wants that communion with you, his dear child. We are to take everything to God constantly, seek to connect with him, let him change your heart, let him mold your heart to be more like his.
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." (V13) Find joy in everyday. God has blessed you with so much. Yes hard times will always come but do not let that steal your joy because your joy is in the Lord, it is eternal, set on higher ground and not based on circumstances.
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but many advisers they succeed." (V22) There is a saying that 'two heads are better than one' and it is true. This doesn't mean that you are to do what anyone tells you to. God must ultimately be your leader. It is telling us to LISTEN and weigh it into our decision. But be careful who you go to for advice as I mentioned before, words are powerful.
Bethany Joy