"The Wisdom of Being Quiet"

Reflections4Life™ September 16, 2018

“The Wisdom of Being Quiet”

“Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6

Scripture Contemplation: Job 34; Job 40; Proverbs 17; Ecclesiastes 7; James 4

©Ruthe McDonald.

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You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True Power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you that means that everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass.” Warrant Buffett

We can often allow our emotions to get the best of us; wanting our side to be heard and understood, which can cause further hurt, pain, and confusion. Sometimes we have to reel back our hurt emotions and be quiet. There is wisdom in being quiet. However, it may seem like disrespect or shutting a person down, it is not. It takes two to tango, two to have an argument that can quickly escalate where words said, cannot be taken back. Or the misinterpretation of what is being said and its intent, leading to hurt feelings and possibly the destruction of a relationship.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Meditate on the word of God this week. Ask the Father to show you your heart, your thoughts, your weaknesses, and strength. Allow His words to season your mouth and be a guard over your tongue. Take a moment before speaking, and assess what you are going to say. Know that, sometimes, being quiet is the best thing you could do in certain situations.

Do you want to be Happy or Right?

James 4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Why can we not be both?—is the question most of us would probably ask. Why cannot I be happy and right? It is my life and my right, after all. Sure, you can be both, but when you are in the middle of an argument with someone and both parties feel they are right, do you continue to argue until you both are unhappy and in the worst state of being? Or, do you take the option of acquiescing and deciding you’d rather have peace than to stress your point of view?

It is a normal part of our human nature that fights to be heard, accepted, and believed. We find ourselves in escalated arguments wondering how we got there and felt miserable after getting there. At this point, the argument is not really about who is right or wrong (both people can be right), the argument is now more about power. Or, a power struggle. Neither person wanting to give in because now emotions are on the line and egos are in the way, and common sense has taken a flight, while Holy Spirit has gone quiet because our flesh has taken over, as God-sense also flies out the window.

Nine times out of ten, we do not even realize when or how the enemy snuck his way in and began whispering in our ears, which sounds like our inner thoughts. We end up saying things we do not mean, taking offense to things that normally would roll right off the back, and emotions stirred up, that we are blinded by the anger that has crept up, causing more trouble, hurt, and pain. Instead of taking a step back, pride takes a step in.

Beloved, this is not what God intended for us in our relationships. This is not how we, children of God, should allow things in our life to escalate. If someone is saying something, you do not agree with or thinking something about you, you do not have to react to it. Yes, it may hurt and bother you—let that be between you and God. Do not allow it to take you out of character and stir you up so emotionally that you fight, at all costs, to be right. At the end, who really wins? No one. Nine times out of ten, when you make the decision to be quiet and not engage in a war of words and stop yourself from reacting emotionally, you will find out how fast a situation can deescalate and how much hurt and pain can be avoided. Do not ignore Holy Spirit when He is telling you to be quiet!

Words Can Be Powerful & Deadly Weapons

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Being quiet can save many lives and relationships, also. We often forget how powerful the words are that come from our mouths; whether intentional or not. In the power of our tongue are death and life. We have the power to kill and destroy or to make live. We can kill people’s self-esteem, hopes, dreams, visions, relationships, marriages, families, employment—all from the words, we may speak.

We also have the power to change lives for the better. To inspire. To bring life, hope, love, acceptance, strength, and peace. We can speak a word of life into our relationships, our marriages, our hopes, dreams, and visions. We can be encouraging, inspiring, and spark a fire that spreads so wide and far that happiness becomes like breathing.

We need God to be a guard over our tongue; a watch over our mouths, and to check us when we are in our emotions. Our emotions can get us into a whole lot of trouble when we are not in accord with the Holy Spirit, or, are easily offended. Our tongues become poison swords, striking out at anyone within our circumference. Bringing damage and extreme hurt and pain in the hearts minds and souls of those we say we love.

Beloveds, it is not God or of God when we get to a place of yelling, screaming, and talking over one another to the point we are being rude and disrespectful. Hurt people hurt people. Something inside of us feels like we have to defend ourselves. This is the exact point where we need to be quiet, stay quiet, and truly reflect on what is happening, without blaming the other person, but taking accountability and responsibility for our part in the situation. At the end of the day, it is a power struggle. But the power struggle is not between you and the other party, it is between you and God. You and Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is telling us to be quiet and pray, while our flesh is saying, no, we have to defend ourselves, not realizing that God is our best defense and that the whole truth of the matter is, the enemy found an opening and slid in.

Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. We have to get quiet, recognize the enemy, and allow God to be a guard over our mouths and to fight the battle for us, as we humbly acquiesce to His will; even if that means apologizing, even if you feel you are right. Because at this point, it is not about being right but about allowing God to be in charge and setting things right once more before you forget the love and all the good things that exist in spite of the bumps in the road. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Enough Already!

All of this whining and bickering, and picking on—enough already! Jeez!

I was reading on the newest feud between View host, Rosie O'Donnell, and Mr.Bill O'Reilly! Come on...you can't say you did not see this one coming?

For whatever Ms. O'Donnell's issues are; she is indeed entitled to her view points. But, I must ask the question: Does she need to be so belligerent? Really? Don't get me wrong; I actually like Ms. O'Donnell—at times—however, lately she has just rubbed me the wrong way, coming off as a bully!

I actually understand where she is coming from; but I also understand Mr. O'Reilly's point of view as well. When you have the capacity to reach so many people and make an impact—we must be careful of what we say, and how we say it. We may say something jokingly, and it be taken seriously, or out of context. We do have a responsibility.

We indeed have a responsibility to the nation in which we are living; which affords us the liberty to be so profoundly vocal. However, with these liberties come responsibilities. Responsibility in what we are saying and why.

Power is a dangerous drug. Once we realize that we have it; for some it causes them to be more empathetic; for others it unleashes a mind-set that is devastatingly dangerous.

What happens when we began to speak against our nation? As a whole, it tears us apart. Separating us; giving room for the enemy to get in—and divide and conquer. Whether we realize it or not; we are being watched. Our actions; what we are saying; what we are suggesting; what we are complaining about.

My point of view comes from a foundation that is rooted in the belief of God. That I serve a Creator, that has placed in me the freedom to choose what, and who I want to follow. He's such an awesome God, that He gave me the freedom to choose if I want to serve Him or the Devil. You may not agree; but that's your prerogative, or your freedom to choose to believe that. I'm not mad at you. But, I know what I know for myself, because of an intimate relationship with my Father (God).

Because of my relationship, I have come to realize that it is against His will that I blatantly disrespect the Leader of this nation; whether I believe, agree, or even like him. That's not the point. The point is: he won the office. He was voted in, and I can't change that fact. But, what I can do is show respect to the office—even if I disagree. I can disagree with his choices; how he runs this country; how he even looks! Yet, I will not disrespect him, by calling him out his name and making fun of him. But I also know, I have the freedom to make a change—through my voting, and my voice. Not to stir up anger, or insight a riot; but to ignite positive change through my voice; perhaps my writing, and encourage others in my sphere of influence to do the same. Especially during this election season.

You see, what many of us may not realize is that, the world is watching us. They are watching how we treat our leaders. They are watching to see how we treat one another. They are watching to see how the Leaders that be treat its constituents. (Hurricane Katrina was an eye-opener to the world about America). This is a major problem for many other nations: how America shows disregard for those in authority, and those in lack. When these nations see this; they are appalled, and become highly agitated when we come into their country and try to change things. Or try to Americanize their youth—their future. They don't want our values. They don't want our morals. They don't want our influence—our money...yes. Influence...no.

My point is this: If we cannot even show solidarity in our own Nation; how can we expect to change somewhere else? How can we expect to stop a war—that has gone on for far too long—if we cannot even stop fighting amongst ourselves? Really. Is it it more important to be right, or be united, and put an end to this atrocity? Enough Already!

Affectionately,

My Point Of View!