So…I hope you’ve rested well and prioritized sleep in the last week? No need to burn the candle at both ends, or we rapidly burnout!
Turning around bad sleep patterns does take focus, but the benefits are worth efforts made.
Week #6 Practice gracious responses. For the vivacious, bubbly personalities reading…know I’m not expecting all {women} to speak in quiet tones, hushed voices.
Some of us are more naturally soft-spoken, and others not so much. I am incredibly grateful God dished out a variety of personalities to live on this planet. We need each other, and can teach one another much through our diversity.
This said, each of us could probably grow in watching just how we respond to others, especially when we’re stressed, upset, or frustrated.
What are you saying and how are you saying it?
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
Scripture makes it clear our tongue is difficult to control, and couldn’t you say Amen? Yet, evidence of God’s spirit at work in us is the fruit of self-control — so, we’re not alone in this at all. God helps us!
Those in our homes, in our community circles need us to speak gently, to respond graciously. As women, we often set the pulse for conversation in our surroundings.
You and I possess ability to make things worse with words or to ease the tension. Even when difficult things need to be shared, the tone and approach can either offer calm or ignite anger — so which will you choose?
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Action Plan: Ask. God. for. Help. We can’t will ourselves into this for long, so don’t even attempt it. 🙂 Feast on Scripture encouragement about taming the tongue (start with Psalm 19:14). Zero in on one relationship this week to practice gracious responses – through prayer, it can be done!
More to Read: Why Did I Say That? : There are Rats in my Cellar : 31 Days to Taming that WILD Tongue
I’ve really been asking God to continue to change me in this area…especially in my tone. Thank you for these verses (and this focus) this morning dear friend. Love, K
Great post and so true! Sometimes I am good at this, and other times not so much! lol. Definitely need to work on it. Disagreements definitely steal my joy and I don’t want to let that happen, or to let Satan get a foothold because of my bad attitude.
I have a weekly link up on Thursdays called Thriving Thursdays and I would love for you to share this post there.
[…] week we shared around gracious responses – for we can easily stir up anger (and therefore upset the peace) with harsh tones and […]
Thank you. This spoke directly into my heart. I am grieving now thinking of words and actions that were devoid of grace recently. Thank you for pointing the way. I’ve been here many times, it just seems like I “forget” this area needs constant diligence in my life.