Good morning self-controlled people

One of the greatest things we can learn to do is pause before speaking. I have gotten myself into trouble many times when I have reacted with instant words in a difficult situation. Often the first thing to come into our mind, and consequently out of our mouths, is not the right thing to say. I believe we would all do well to learn the power of a pause.

Again I have many times apologised for careless and harmful words that I spoke ‘in the heat of the moment’ that could have been avoided if I had honoured the pause. Many times we justify this behaviour because we are ‘just letting off steam’. Steam burns and disfigures when it goes up in your face and that’s exactly what careless words have the power of doing. I believe more effort needs to go into preventing damage with our words rather than fixing damage as a result of our words. Sure it takes effort, but people are made in God’s image, He loves and honours every one of us and so should we.

James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

The Bible tells us, ‘in our anger, do not sin’. The pause can often be the difference.