The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "A GENTLE ANSWER" for Sunday, 5 June 2016 with Scripture Proverbs 15:1-4

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "A GENTLE ANSWER" for Sunday, 5 June 2016 with Scripture Proverbs 15:1 A gentle response deflects fury,
    but a harsh word makes tempers rise.
2 The tongue of the wise presents knowledge well,
    but the mouth of a fool spews out folly.
3 The eyes of Adonai are everywhere,
    watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
    but when it twists things, it breaks the spirit.
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A gentle answer turns away wrath.[Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)]
Recently someone accused me of doing something I had not done. No matter how I defended myself, my words had no effect. This person disregarded my position and said things that hurt my feelings. I remember my face growing hot and wanting to lash out at him with angry words. Then I realized that acknowledging my feelings and defending myself may have been fine, but reacting solely out of anger could harm him as much as his words had harmed me.
So instead of lashing out, I decided to spend time with God in quiet prayer and reflection. Talking over my hurt and anger with God helped calm me down. I found that I needed to rely on God’s power to give me strength to respond in loving ways. I remembered the verse quoted above, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
When our feelings have been hurt, we may want to speak back in anger. Instead, God encourages us to break the bitter cycle of anger with a gentle response.
Read more from the author, here."More from Tom Fuller"

The episode that I related in my devotional was a very difficult time in my life. I had worked at the same job for years when suddenly things seemed to change. I stood accused of things I didn't do and didn't even know exactly what the accusations were. My mind reeled and I was very upset for a long time. Through it all I was drawn to my knees. For a long time I didn't understand what God was doing. What was I to learn from this?
I remembered how God acted through the Apostle Paul in Acts 15. Paul wanted to go into several areas in Asia for ministry but was prevented. I felt perhaps that circumstances were not permitting me to continue to be a witness where I was. I began looking for other employment but no doors opened. I slowly began to feel more peaceful despite my circumstances. I figured the Lord was in control though I certainly didn't see it.
Then one day in the summer I got called into the bosses' office. Sitting there was the head of Human Resources and I knew something was up. They didn't waste any time: "We're removing you from your position" my boss said. I felt very light-headed at that moment but I didn't have time to react. In the next breath he said, "But we're offering you a job rotation at another organization." It turned out I had already applied for a position there, but said nothing.
The really amazing thing was what happened next. I felt a strong sense of the Spirit come over me and found myself saying very gracious words. Their reaction was incredible. I could tell they were prepared for anger and accusations, but that's not what came out of my mouth.
Yes, I lost my job and knew I was on a clock to find something else. And yes, I did get the permanent job I'd applied for. God did indeed work all things together for the good and I learned some valuable lessons about trust and patience and letting the Spirit speak. I guess it also lead me to pray for those who accuse.
These verses came to mind from Matthew 5:43-48 (HCSB):
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
So will I be different when accused next time? Honestly I'm not sure. But my prayer is that something has been worked into my soul to give me just a little more peace in times of stress like that, and a little more perspective about who is really in charge.
Learn more about me at http://www.TomFuller.net.[Tom Fuller]
The Author: Thomas E. Fuller (Oregon, USA)
Thought for the Day: With God’s help I will use my words wisely.
Prayer: Dear God, help us consider our words before we speak them, so that what comes out of our mouths will help, not hurt. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE WHO HAS HURT ME

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