Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

This long crack in the ground is spewing out hot molten lava, burning everything in its path.  The recent 6.9 earthquake on the Big Island of Hawaii near the Kilauea volcano caused new fissures to be formed.  For those living close by in this rural area, there was no choice but to evacuate.  These fissures can spew lava more than 200 feet into the air.  Although the lava is slow moving, it cannot be stopped.  However, it can be diverted as was done with pumped sea water in 1973 on a small island in Iceland!

Today’s verse tells us that a gentle or soft answer can divert or turn away something just as seemingly unstoppable as molten lava; anger.  And just as easily, that flow of hot burning anger can be worsened by a harsh word given in response.  Without a calm controlled response, anger so easily can escalate, spewing up into the air and destroying a relationship.  However, anger can quickly dissipate and lose its momentum with a soft, gentle response.

I have been on the giving and receiving end of that soft gentle response.  The effect seems to be immediate, as if a wet blanket was thrown on a spark just ignited.  Yet it is hard to respond with gentleness when feeling under attack.  And anger seems to be almost contagious but rather than responding in kind, I can be kind.  The anger may continue or flare up again, but at least I can do my part to turn the tide.  However, it is not natural for me.  I need His Spirit to calm me down and help me to calm the one who is so angry.

Lord, make my words gentle and soft today.

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

These beautiful lazurite buttons were made by Faberge.  They not only did the job of fastening one’s clothes but were a fashion statement as well, shouting to the world that one was part of the upper class.  The earliest buttons were made of stone, flint or animal bone.  They became more decorative by the 14th century as merchants were able to procure ivory, gold and precious stones from around the world.  The buttons pictured here date back to the early 1900’s.  That was also the time when the saying, “button your lip,” came to be.  It was considered a polite way of telling someone to keep quiet!

Today’s verse is a prayer of David.  He asks the Lord to keep his heart from being drawn towards evil.  He also asks for help with what comes out of his mouth.  In a sense he is asking God to help him button his lip.  Without the Lord’s help to control our tongues, we can do tremendous damage to others.  This small member of our bodies can act as a spark, setting on fire an entire forest (James 3:6).

The problem with what comes out of my mouth is that I cannot call it back.  Those hurtful words just seem to hang in the air.  My mouth get me in all kinds of trouble!  What seems reasonable and necessary to say can wreak havoc on relationships.  There is no way to erase or delete my hasty words.  But with God’s help, I can stop those words from ever exiting my mouth.  His power can give me control long enough to pause and measure my words.

Lord, thank you that with Your power I can button it!