Use Wise Words (3/25-27)

25-27 March 2015 - Use Wise Words – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”

Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words.

Tony got this internet story from his brother, Mike and I thought this verse fits well to share this with you the story called, “NAILS IN THE FENCE.”

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.

He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all.

He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same.

When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. But it won’t matter how many time you say I’m sorry, the wound will still be there.

A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Remember that friends are very rare jewels indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us your words and the story, the nails in the fence. It reminds me of Jesus whose hands were nailed to the cross. He was wounded for our transgression. He was bruised for our iniquity. Surely He bore our sorrows. And by His stripes we are healed. Father, I pray that my friends would forgive me if I ever hurt them. Teach me to choose gentle words through the help of Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!