“No, it won’t. They’ll just yell louder and louder,” I responded with certainty.
“How do you know? Have you ever tried it? If you did, what happened? Did the shouting stop?” she asked.
“I don’t know because I’ve never had anyone tell me that before,” giving up because I knew that she had the advantage.
Her theory was simple and seemed senseless. “When children, either individually or in a group, raise their voices, if you speak in a hushed tone, they will quiet down. They want to hear what you are saying. Their curiosity will get the best of them,” she explained.
After thinking about it, I decided to follow her recommendation since nothing else I tried had worked. To my surprise, it worked. And it actually makes sense, when you think about it.
Solomon may not have known much about anger management, but he gave some great advice when he wrote, “A soft gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” We see that all too often when mobs gather to protest. Both sides believe they can get the advantage with volume.
“A harsh word” does not suggest that a person is using words that are irrational or abrasive - though they may be part of the “conversation.” Rather, it refers to one who intends to use words to destroy another by design. We are once again reminded of the power of the tongue!
Prayer: Lord, how wonderful is Your Word that informs us of the power of our words. May we always speak gently. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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