The Stream's Edge: Joy Dekok

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

A Soft Answer

My guest today is my dear friend, Joy. She and I met a number of years ago and have been kindred spirits since. Knowing Joy brings me joy. I know she will bless you too.

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

~ Proverbs 15:1 ESV

Someone I love walked away from me, answering my question softly, but harshly. The one-sided conversation continued for awhile in the other room. I couldn’t hear all that was being said, but the tone of the muttered words answer was angry, the sound more a snarl than a whisper.

I sat quietly not knowing what to say – if anything. I prefer to avoid conflict and am pretty good at it.

The muttering continued. I stayed put, but this thing started to happen in my heart. It was like every uttered syllable in the other room was stirring up anger in the same way a stick poked into a bonfire will do. Sparks floated up from the center of my being.

A sarcastic thought blew across my mind: so much for soft answers!

My intentional misuse of God’s Word did not go unnoticed in my conscience. I was urged to handle two things in my own spirit:

· My angry, but silent response was wrong. That wrongness led me to the rightness of confession of my own sin to the Forgiver of all sin. He was as always, faithful and just. (1 John 1:9)

· The word soft in the above verse does not mean quiet as in under your breath – I’ve known for a long that it means soft as in gentle. Or tender. See Strong’s. http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/kjv/rak.html

When I was done silently, but boldly going to the throne, (Hebrews 4: 16) where I received mercy and grace, I forgave as I had just been forgiven (Colossians 3:13) I noticed the voice in the other room had stilled. The verbal storm had passed, and the stirring of embers was over.

I walked into the other room and was asked, “What do you want?”

“A cup of coffee,” I said with a smile that came from that forgiven and forgiving place in my heart.

I was immediately handed a cup full of my favorite brew – with a tender smile. No sparks. No anger. No snarls. Just love.

This sweet moment would not have happened in the Holy Spirit hadn’t quickly made me uncomfortable with my response. Now, if only I can remember this next time someone stirs my embers.

Has anyone stirred your embers lately?

Softly,

Joy

Joy is the author of several published books including Under His Wings - a devotional for those who love God and watch birds. She lives with her husband Jon and their two dogs on thirty-five acres of field and woods. When she's not writing, reading, or spending time with the people she loves, she enjoys photography as a hobby.

Joy's books can be found on Amazon

Photo Credits: