Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 15:1

     A gentle answer turns away wrath,
          but a harsh word stirs up anger.

This verse keeps cropping up for me. It has been on my mind recently and twice in the last two days this verse has been there in front of me. The first time was in the Bible study plan I am following at present and the second was in the book I am reading through.

I am a firm believer in God using sometimes quite mundane ways to talk to us. It could be one song that speaks to you repeatedly coming on the radio or like frequently happens to me, the same Bible verse keeps cropping up. Now I think I know what is being said by this verse to me personally. I have a short temper at times, and recently it has been exceptionally short. Since the snow hit us I have lost my temper on the road so many times and have had my fuse cut down to a dangerously short length.

It is not for other people that the length is dangerously short for, I can unless really stressed keep my temper under control. I may shout and say things I shouldn't at times but I never "lose" it. But when this red mist descends I am aware that I am not acting like the Christian I should. When I lose my temper I always make it worse by being hostile myself. My harsh words stir up a lot of anger. I know I need to learn to swallow this anger and always reply with a gentle answer. I know that like Jesus I should always humble myself and be strong enough to back down and not provoke or instigate further anger.

In my life I have never felt as though God has been telling me off. He teaches me lessons all the time and often tells me I am doing things wrong. He always gives me the gentle answer, he always avoids doing what would stir up anger inside me. And I know this is because He is our perfect everlasting God who created all that is, but it is still amazing don't you think? I will never be able to get my head around the grace and goodness He shows me, but I will also never be anything but thankful for everything He has done and will do for me if I have faith in Him.