One day a desperate wife asked her doctor what she should do with her ill tempered husband. The wise doctor told her to take a big sip of water when her husband came home from work and keep it in her mouth for as long as she could. She was to report back to the doctor after two weeks. To the wife’s surprise this remedy worked wonders. She reported to the doctor how amazing it was; her husband was not ill tempered after work anymore. He even sat down calmly and contently finished his meal. She was amazed and wondered how the doctor did it, without even laying eyes on her husband.
The only book that has all the secrets to life’s intricate pathways is the Bible. In Proverbs 15:1 we find that a soft answer turns away wrath but grievous words stir up anger. By keeping her mouth shut when her husband returned from work and meeting his needs, the wife was able to unknowingly change the atmosphere in their home. Ask yourself, ‘who is wiser; the person who reacts to situations or the one who responds to it?’ Obviously, reactionary behaviour is more impulse driven while responsive behaviour is more contemplative and rationally aligned.
How many times have you found yourself in situations where the feelings got the better of you and you end up saying hurtful things you can’t take back? As humans we err each and every day. How do we overcome this constant obstacle?
We need to live as children of light. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
Since we live in a corrupted world where the boundaries of right and wrong are so fluid, we need a stronger force to lead us and guide us into living an overcoming life. We need a mentor that is incorruptible to guide us along the way.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
So, don’t waste your breath and your energy pursuing things that are of no value. Choose your battles wisely; your life depends on it! Read 1 Peter 1:6-8 about the living hope we have. You will be eternally grateful for it. □
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