Deflecting Anger - The One Year Daily Wisdom
Deflecting Anger
Read Proverbs 15
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 15:1
The wisdom in this proverb can be found in the volume and the tone of our responses to anger. We know that some of the harshest, anger-provoking words can be spoken very quietly. Sometimes it takes a shouted “I love you!” to move an argument in a better direction. The tone, or character, of our responses—more than their volume—determines the outcome of a tense exchange.
Wise listeners pay attention to both words and tone. Sometimes a person’s angry words and tone are justified. The gentleness of an answer doesn’t necessarily eliminate the anger; it deflects it so that truth can be discovered. Meanwhile, harsh or thoughtless words not only create angry responses but often intensify anger that is already present.
Godly wisdom seeks to respond gently because it places a higher value on truth than on the particular wrapping of words and tone. Gentleness unwraps the feelings and expressions to find the truth.
A WORD FOR TODAY
Authentic power includes gentleness.
Dear Lord, help me learn to affect people for you by listening to both their words and their tone and by answering them gently.
