You know that feeling when you get heavy-handed on salt while preparing a delicacy or when you overload on pepper and eating the meal feels more like a prison sentence. That was me on this day. As a stood at the kitchen counter making a cup of tea, I picked up the honey jar and started scooping up. Lost in thought mapping out the course of my day it was only when the deed was done than I realized I had added one too many scoops to my cup. I couldn’t scoop it back out because the scalding content of the mug was quickly infusing the honey. I had to make a new cup.
This reminds me of an incident I witnessed as a young teenage girl. A young lady had left her family home to follow friends and figure out life for herself. She fancied the grand lifestyle and fell victim to the pressure and influence of her friends. Her family had been searching for her whereabouts for days, weeks and then months to no avail. Except for an occasional rumour of neighbours spotting her in some part of town, there was no concrete evidence of exactly where to find her.
After several weeks, the family resorted to praying for her to return back home, hoping she made it back safe without getting into any trouble. One afternoon unannounced, she went home at a time where she didn’t expect anyone to be there. She met her stepmother who welcomed her and tried probing about why she had left and hoped she was back for good. The conversation quickly escalated into a heated exchange with of words because the young lady had no plans of staying back and wanted neither a lecture nor a sermon.
Long story short, the supposed kind gesture of her step mother to coerce her into staying back at home turned into a bitter exchange of words. The young lady was so vexed and rained insults on the woman. When the woman in her defense tried to correct her, the young lady landed her a hefty slap and vacated the house, never to return. Emotions got the better part of both parties and needless to say, their relationship died that day never to be resurrected.
That’s how Jesus’ disciple Peter so lost it that he slashed off an ear of the high priest’s servant. Even Jesus, who was under arrest kept His composure but Peter utterly lost it. Oh Lord, help us to be more like You in every way.
“Now Judas, who was betraying Him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. So Judas, having obtained the Roman cohort and some officers from the high priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to Him, went to them and asked, “Whom do you want?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them. When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again He asked them, “Whom do you want?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you want Me, let these men go on their way.” This was to fulfill and verify the words He had spoken, “Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword [back] in its sheath! Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”” John 18:2-11 AMP
When you are right, pray for mercy. When you’re wrong, pray for mercy. And when you are not sure, still pray for mercy. What matters most is that, regardless of our disposition we still need the Holy Spirit to steer us in the right direction. He is ready and available to teach us what to say and do.
We consciously need to be more mindful with our words. The offended may forgive and choose to let go but the wound might cut so deep and the scar too vibrant that it might impact their receptiveness to other people based on that one act of lashing out “loose words” at them. Words once spoken are not recoverable. Don’t tear down what you have painstakingly built (especially human relationships) with your own words.
“A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 AMP
Keep a positive demeanor and only declare the word of God. When you have nothing nice to say try not to say anything at all.
With Love, Esinam.
Virtuous Living 