A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath by Helena

How many times do we say something out of anger, to end up regretting it or having to eat one's own words? I know I was guilty of it big time this weekend. I even confessed to the person that I did this to and even though she didn't accept my apologies (she's a Christian), I know the Lord forgave me. Being tactful is not one of my stronger virtues (as most people who know me in real life will agree). I have to make an extra effort to think before I speak or write. But I don't always do so and thus fail miserably. I won't kick myself, coz  the devil will want to keep me down. But as I got see my friend Nor I and her husband Dan (he was our senior pastor before they moved to England), I remember all the kind words, encouragement and e-mails she sent me. Her words never wound, they always brought healing to my life, my soul... That is my prayer today, that I may be given the wisdom to speak the right words at the right times to those whose lives I touch, whether over the internet or in person or on the phone. Also it is my heartfelt prayer that I stop wearing my heart on my sleeves. Sometimes I care too much, I don't brush things off so easily, I get wounded and I will be miserable for days. I know God doesn't want me to live that way. I should only seek to please Him. While it's important what people think of us so we aren't an offense to His gospel, it's still more important what He thinks of us, rather our family and friends. In the end, it's truly all about Jesus and nothing else!

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~Helena~

"A friend is one to whom one can pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keeping what is worth keeping, and, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away."