Warren Fisher, Genesis Sunday School Co-Leader, Member since 1988

Proverbs 29:11 (NRSV)
 A fool gives full vent to anger,
    but the wise quietly holds it back.

 Proverbs 29:20 (NRSV)
Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?
    There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.

Reflection:
Anger and hasty speech seem to be everywhere these days. Modern social media, communication technologies, and 24/7 news streams mean that words spoken hastily or in anger (or often both) are instantly disseminated. Such words can do much harm…to the speaker, to the subject, and to the hearer. Angry and hasty speech is not a new problem, however. The ancient Israelites did not have smartphones, the internet, or cable news networks, yet they recognized the danger of angry words and hasty speech.

Speaking hastily and in anger will rarely solve the problem that gives rise to the anger. Far better to wisely “hold it back” and patiently hear all sides of the issue. Only when we have a clear grasp of the situation and have formulated a thoughtful, reasoned response should we speak. This is not to say that we should not be angry and never speak. On the contrary, there are situations where we should be angry—when we see injustice, bigotry, or oppression, for example. Our anger and our words must, however, be designed and directed to make the situation better, not just blow off steam or give “full vent to anger.”

Recently, I had a situation where I felt pressured to speak up and hit send a little too quickly on a message I later regretted. A little patience would have allowed a more productive conversation. Fortunately, in this case, a strong friendship and relationship of trust will weather the storm.

The message of these Proverbs and the lessons of our own experience is clear: “Do not speak hastily or in anger.” But do not be afraid to speak the truth with reason.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, teach us to wisely hold back our anger and speak not in haste but with truth and reason. Thank you for the invitation each moment to do this and show your face to others. Amen.