I am doing a deep study of one of Jesus’ parables where He tells His disciples that the food you eat cannot defile you, but rather what comes from within. Ugly thoughts such as murder or infidelity or not speaking the truth arise in one’s mind and heart. 

Many people’s hearts and minds are contaminated, and they do not realise that by opening their mouths they open the door of their hearts. Even through their actions, people show the state of their hearts. 

Often, we are harmed by the people whose hearts and minds are not so fresh. People come into your world and insult you and tell others about your private stuff. Completely uncalled for. 

Sometimes your name is dragged through the mud without reason and falsely. You are quietly going about your business when someone just shows up and says things about you that are not true at all. 

How does one deal with such a situation? Wisely, is my first thought. But it’s not that easy, because your emotions get in the way, and you immediately want to make a stand and defend yourself. 

You want to prove the person wrong. You want to show them the pollution in their life is now also contaminating your world. By speaking up, you want to invite the person into your world to see the truth. 

You can do it that way. Yes, we have to do it to get the elephant out of the room, but we don’t have to do it in the same way as the other person who came in guns blazing. 

We get worked up by the other person’s emotions so easily, and before we know it, a small war has broken out, although we know that wars have no winners. Fighting fire with fire never works. 

No, there is a much better way: 9No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. It’s human to pick up on the other person’s tone and respond in the same manner. 

However, although it is human, it’s not right. On the contrary, that is not how God’s children do it. We wait a while before we respond, because it’s in the waiting that wisdom usually appears. 

Wisdom helps us realise that we must first get our emotions under control before we react. Often, people want confrontation because they’re good at winning in conflict situations. 

However, they don’t know what to do when confronted with gentle words of wisdom. Soon they retreat and look for another place to sow dissent. 

This way doesn’t come naturally, but let’s try to have soft and sweet words for others, even if they arrive guns blazing.  

Scripture
1 Peter 3:8-11 

Reflection
Where are you being bombarded?
How can you respond in the right way?
Who can help you? 

Prayer
Father, sometimes I get so hurt by the way others talk to me and by what they do to me. Then it’s not so easy for me not to speak the same way. May Your Spirit help me to speak soft and wise words. Amen.