Kim Bryan

“Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace…”   Proverbs 17:28 (NKJV)

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”   Proverbs 10:19  (NKJV)

I was on a walk with Shane recently, and as is usually the case, we encountered a small dog being walked by their owner.  Upon seeing Shane, the small dog began to bark loudly and incessantly.  Clearly, the dog was saying plenty, and much of it did not sound very positive.

Shane just looked over at the dog, rested his gaze upon the dog’s frenetic display, and said nothing.  He just kept on walking, without a word.

When I watch this happen, time after time, I am reminded by God that this is to be my reaction, too.  There is no shortage of people in this world who are only too happy to quickly and incessantly state their opinions, to voice their complaints, and to offer their judgments on everything from world events to what the world is wearing.  Sometimes the people are even “yapping” at me, directly.

I need to heed the wise words in Proverbs 10:19 and Proverbs 17:28.  I need to walk as Shane does – I need to quietly listen and to be slow to speak.  And I certainly need to be slow to react, not allowing my emotions or self to jump forth and respond.  This is what James tells us in James 1:19, 20 – “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

I need to pause….and allow the Holy Spirit to direct my words, if I am to say anything at all.  I need to follow the example Jesus gave us to follow in I Peter 1:23, “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

God knows best what I am to say and to not say.  I want to follow Jesus’ example, and I want to be mindful of the example Shane gives me, every time we go for a walk together.  My top priority is to keep walking forward, in my Lord and Savior.

Peace to you!