PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Sigh.
So much easier said than done.
When you get angry and frustrated with someone, do you find that it has a negative impact on your prayer life?
When I’m in that situation, it’s incredibly challenging to pray.
My heart wants to, and I know I need to…
But I have to fight against the temptation to hyper-focus on my frustration.
The truth is that we are all prickly to some extent.
There are some situations that are emotional land mines and responding with a soft answer isn’t our knee-jerk reaction.
Yet the Bible tells us that’s what it should be.
I wish I could write this devotion with step-by-step instructions on how to respond with soft answers, but I can’t.
There isn’t an easy answer but I do know the first step should be prayer.
Even when it’s hard because you’re consumed with high-octane emotions.
I also know that recognizing your emotional land mines for what they are is an important step.
A soft answer might be an attempt to kindly explain why certain issues are sensitive.
And sometimes a soft answer is silence.
After all, no response is a response.
Certainly, both of those options are better than a heated argument.
Every situation is different and everyone’s emotions are not the same.
And different emotions and responses aren’t necessarily wrong.
Sometimes, they are just different.
We need to accept that not everyone is going to respond just like we would.
Nor will all people “get it” when you try to explain.
Take those frustrating moments to God and even if your prayer is, “Lord, so-and-so made me so mad that I can hardly figure out what to pray,” that’s okay.
He already knows you’re upset.
Just lay it at His feet, take a deep breath, and wait.
He will help you pray through the frustration when you surrender.
Today, as you pray, thank God for the strength He gives us, even in frustrating moments.
Ask Him to help you temper your words with kindness.
Ask Him to help you speak softly or stay silent in response to situations that could easily turn into arguments.
