Who else struggles with holding their tongue? Sometimes its so hard for me to sit back and not defend myself or a loved one or friend when someone is ranting and raving.
I'm experienced that situation this week, where someone's rant made me get all frothy with indignation, just desperate to bubble over and speak up for those not able to or not willing to.
Yet, I held my tongue - and my fingers. I like to look at Moses. He didn't snap at the Israelites when they complained and moaned and groaned over their circumstances. He persisted, kept on keeping on, kept on praying and trusting God to take care of all involved.
I want to more like that. Silent and faithful. It seems safer that way. Fewer fires to put out later, fewer bridges burned, fewer apologies to make, words to eat. Our natural instinct seems to be to FIGHT back but sometimes, SITTING back and praying is much more effective. I suppose in most cases, going against our fleshly, human instincts is the higher, holier choice. If its not hard, its not usually right, huh? =)
Going back to Moses, he finally snapped one day. Got sick of the complaining, the accusations, the mully-grubbing. He struck the rock with his staff despite God's command not to, and well, look what his frustration and disobedience got him? No promised land. =(
So there's a lot to be said for holding our tongues and not snapping back, even if it is "for a good cause". What are your thoughts on this?
4 comments:
I struggle with this too. I try to be kind, but when people are ranting they don't want to hear a different point of view. I would like to learn to hold my tongue--but I always fear that this gives "tacit approval" of something I disagree with--and I always try to be honest. Still, there IS a time to speak and a time to refrain from speaking--isn't there??
I totally struggle with this--not real great at holding my tongue. Praying is the right thing to do, and sometimes it's right to take action and speak up, but only under His direction. (Must file this away for later when I need it too!)
How does it go in James? 'See how great a forest a little fire kindles. The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. ...No man can tame the tongue.' Only God can tame our unruly tongues. And it's a daily battle, even more so if one came from a background where words ruled in anger. Been there, done that!
Oh, how did I miss this one, Betsy. This is awesome and such a great lesson.
I've failed more often than not on this, but in this last trial in my life, I do believe I'm somewhat happy with how I held my tongue for the most part. I don't think it's healthy to swipe an issue under the rug, but to wait until the blood stops boiling to venture into creating a process to prevent a mess again, is helpful. Just wait until the heat has gone, and healing can take place in the process making, I guess is the key.
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