“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

Whose wrath? Whose anger?

I used to think this verse has to do with the response of others to my words. It includes that, to be sure.

But why should my words not affect me as well?

When I feel anger rising in me, I can turn it away by choosing a soft answer instead of grievous words.

That isn’t just theory. I know it to be true. I speak from experience.

Here are two more verses from Proverbs 15 to add a little more substance to the concept:

“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife” (18).

“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things” (28).

May I learn to study my words, especially in tense situations. May I choose them carefully. May I choose the soft answer, even when my feelings are otherwise. Especially when my feelings are otherwise.

Now I suppose I shall be tested in that shortly. I do not look forward to that.

What good do I have planned for today?

My goals for today should include at least one good scheme. Can I think up some nice thing to do for my wife? For my children? For my neighbor? For the guy that pumps my fuel? For every tenth customer? For the postal clerks?

Wow! So many people who could benefit from some good deed or word…from me! So many opportunities for me to devise some blessing for someone else!

“Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good” (Proverbs 14:22).

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Now for two bonus verses from Proverbs 14. 🙂

“He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated” (17).

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly” (29).