Responding vs Reacting

by | Feb 20, 2019 | Marriage

Don’t miss the information about:

Pearls of Powerful Leadership Luncheon with Carla Harris

March’s Luncheon

Spiritual Growth Workshops


Proverbs 15:1,
A gentle answer
 turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Oh, how easy it is to be sweet as sugar to anyone who calls or drops by our house.   But what about the people who live in our homes?

What happens when they frustrate us?  What happens when they speak to us in harsh tones or do something we consider unwise?

I don’t know about you, but my knee-jerk reaction is to blast back.  It feels good in the moment.   But that good feeling is short-lived because my harsh word ALWAYS results in a strained environment.  I may have won a battle, but I lose the war when I need to have the last word.  The peaceful, joyful home we once enjoyed is quickly replaced with silence, bitterness, and strife.

The tone and words with which we respond can destroy our marriages if we are not careful.  As wives and mothers, we often set the tone and atmosphere in our homes.  Therefore, we must recognize and use this influence wisely.

Let me offer an example.  My husband was recently cooking and started putting extra cheese in the macaroni and cheese.  I do not like bag cheese in my mac & cheese.  My knee-jerk reaction was, “Stop adding that cheap cheese.  It changes the taste!”

Well, the taste not only changed, but the entire atmosphere also immediately changed.

Here, this thoughtful man, was taking the initiative to help cook dinner.  And how did I respond?   By criticizing him and jumping down his throat.  No one wants to feel belittled.  No one wants to be “blasted.”

Yet it so quickly comes off our tongue.

Do you see how quickly we can stir anger and tear down our homes with our words?  In only a matter of seconds, the direction of an entire evening or day can spiral downward.  And then we wonder why our family members become withdrawn, uncooperative, and sullen.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Notice, it only takes one word to alter the direction toward negativity and strife.

Let’s get into the habit of responding and not reacting.  What’s the difference?  Instead of saying the first thing that comes to mind:

  • Pause;
  • Say a quick prayer, “Help me Jesus.”
  • Then choose wisely the tone and words with which you respond.

This small adjustment will help us respond well, keeping our homes havens of peace as opposed to zones of strife.


Pearls of Powerful Leadership

According to Fortune magazine,
Carla Harris one of the most influential women in country…

She’ll be speaking at a KGM event February 22nd
on the Pearls of Powerful Leadership!


Next Luncheon:  Friday, March 1, 2019
11:45am – 1:00pm

KNOWING What To Do
When You Don’t Know What To Do 

SPEAKER: TARA FURMAN


Spiritual Growth Workshops

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