Proverbs 17
My post is a little at in the day today as my daughter and I have been traveling. It is her spring break from school, and the two of us are taking a little getaway to Sedona, Arizona.
We’ve just been here a few hours, and I am already absolutely MARVELING at the beauty God has created for us to enjoy here. Seriously, it’s AMAZING!
I did my reading and SOAPing on the plane, but I haven’t taken a break since we arrived to connect my laptop to the internet so I could post.
I’m quickly writing this intro as my daughter dashes to go get her camera to snap a few pics of the incredible sunset in the mountains around us.
I’ll add a pic I just took of her snapping a pic of the beauty with her phone to the Instagram post.
So pumped for this vacay to begin.
But first, a little SOAP…
Scripture:
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Observation:
Those who hold back from responding to things right away are wise.
Application:
This verse is telling me to s-l-o-w down and not respond right away,
At first, I read this to say that those who are able to do so innately have better understanding.
But then, as I thought deeper, though, I heard the Holy Spirit reminding me that the allowing that initial silence (as a result of exercising restraint) is more than a indicator of knowledge and understanding: Having a cool spirit, and restraining myself from responding immediately, will help me to listen better which, in turn, will enable me to gain understanding.
Restraint is a sign of a wise person… and it also enaables a person to become wiser.
Double win!
So here’s the approach I will work to enact:
- Listen
- Reftlect inwardly.
- Compose my thoughts.
- Respond.
Prayer:
Father God,
You know me so well. And, in that, you know that I am working on being a better listener when passion takes a hold of me.
Sometimes I can blurt out my thoughts before I’ve really processed what is being said as well as what thay person may really mean and what an appropriate response would be.
I want to be wise and I want to be kind.
And to be that way, I need to restrain my words and have a cool spirit.
Pausing and really listening to those who are communicationg with me, then allowing it to soak in, then formulating a response and THEN responding will not only show my wisdom in restraint, but it will also enable me to gain wisdom that can only come by truly listening and reflecting before snapping back.
I would much rather be wise than be the one with a quick response.
I appreciate these words and this reminder.
Guide me, please, in doing a better job in applying this daily. With you, I can do better.
In Jesus, name, Amen