March 23
A Gentle Answer
in a Heated World
"A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger."
Proverbs 15:1 (NIrV)
Aaron had always been passionate about politics. He prided himself on staying informed and never shying away from debates. But lately, his passion had turned into anger. Every time he watched the news or scrolled through social media, he felt his blood boil. How could people think so differently? How could they support policies that seemed so wrong to him?
One evening, Aaron found himself in a heated online argument. A stranger had posted a comment that enraged him, and Aaron responded with sharp, biting words. The back-and-forth escalated quickly, each side hurling insults. When the debate finally ended, Aaron sat back in his chair, feeling drained and unsettled.
The next day, his friend Liam asked, “Aaron, you seemed really worked up last night. What happened?” Aaron shrugged. “Just another political argument. I’m tired of people being so ignorant.”
Liam paused, then gently said, “You know, I used to get into those kinds of fights too. But someone once reminded me of Proverbs 15:1—‘A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger.’ It made me think: What if I responded with kindness instead of trying to prove I’m right?”
Aaron felt a twinge of conviction but pushed it aside. That evening, he encountered another post that frustrated him. As his fingers hovered over the keyboard, ready to unleash his fury, Liam’s words—and the verse—came to mind. He hesitated. What if, instead of lashing out, he tried a different approach?
Taking a deep breath, Aaron typed a calm and measured response, focusing on understanding the other person’s perspective rather than attacking it. To his surprise, the tone of the conversation shifted. The stranger responded thoughtfully, and the two actually found common ground.
That night, Aaron prayed, “Lord, I’ve let my anger control me for too long. Help me to speak gently and with wisdom, even when I’m upset. Teach me to be a light in these divisive times.”
Over the next few weeks, Aaron noticed a change in himself. His interactions became more constructive, and he began to see debates as opportunities to listen and learn rather than to win. The peace he felt when he chose gentleness reminded him of the power of God’s Word in transforming hearts.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for showing us the power of gentle words.
Forgive us when we let anger take control and hurt others with our speech.
Help us to reflect Your love and wisdom in every conversation, even in moments of disagreement.
Teach us to be peacemakers in a world that often feels divided.
May we honor You by responding with grace and humility.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
