“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger”
(Proverbs 15:1 KJV).
When it sounds as if a volley of ice cubes hit my back door, I know who has come to call: a bevy of June bugs.
And they definitely bug me. I usually hide when I know a June bug snuck in the house; fleeing — and screaming — serves me well when it comes to any kind of big bug.
Difficult people, on the other hand, rarely quiet down when screamed at. Nor can we always avoid those bent on obliterating our peace of mind. Sometimes we need to respond.
With God’s help, we can remain peaceful; why should we allow anyone to steal our peace? We can choose to be calm; we can choose to speak soothing words that heal instead of hurt.
At times WE are the agitated ones in need of a sweet response. Like a refreshing rain shower on a hot day, a gentle reply cools us off and calms us down.
When June bugs come a-calling, I avoid opening the door. Likewise, God can help us guard the door of our lips so that only kind words come out.
Christine Laws is a freelance writer and editor living in Amity. Her essays, poems, and stories have appeared in a variety of publications. She is also the author of “Fresh and Fruitful: Cultivating the Art of Writing,” available at www.clp.org.
