Meet Samson!

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 

*Chomp*

Meet Samson!

He is German Shepherd mixed with Boxer. He is two yeras old, fifty pounds and in the prime of his life. And he is the most gentle dog you could meet.

He can rip through a tennis ball in under a minute, snap a branch almost an inch thick in half, but stick your hand in his mouth and you wont’ get a scratch. That is the definition of gentle. 

 

Now imagine you were my dog. Imagine that you could annihilate someone with just your mouth. Imagine that every time someone stuck their hand in your mouth, you could pretty much bite it right off.

 

I’m here to tell you, you have that much power.

 

Proverbs 18:21 –Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Death and life. Death or life. That is some power. Which ever one comes out of your mouth, that’s what shows up.

 

You can now see why it is so important to heed this wisdom:

 

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 

The second you sense that a conversation could turn into an argument, you have a choice. Many times, it would feel so good to just throw down your point and hammer your opponent into the ground. (At least that’s how we imagine it.) But which response would that be? Yeah, it’s the harsh word.

It’s much harder, but so much better to respond with a gentle answer. Imagine all the time and energy you will redeem by not taking the bait. They might try to start an argument but you have the complete ability to turn away wrath and not stir up anger.

It really is up to you. So choose wisely.

(Photo editing by the amazing Isaac Abinante)