Pause and Proceed with Caution
We were stopped at the red light on our way home from church. The light turned green but my husband didn’t move. Although the light was green on our side there were at least four cars that continued turning across our path. Yes, we had a green light but it would have been foolish and dangerous to proceed.
As we continued on after the way was cleared, we talked about what had happened. It just perfectly illustrated the conversation that we were having. We talked about the importance of sometimes pausing for a moment and thinking before you speak or act. Although you may be right you can still end up hurting yourself or someone else if you speak or act to soon.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 NIV
This is something I try to apply when it comes to speaking my truth. I’m not always the most diplomatic with words so I’ve learned over the years to pause a moment and reflect before speaking. What good does it do to use words as weapons and leave someone wounded and bruise just because you’re right? This does not just hurt the other person but also you also.
Just because you’re right doesn’t mean you should proceed. Sometimes we should pause until the right moment and still proceed with caution so that even though we speak our truth we do it from a place of love.
Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,
but fools are consumed by their own lips. Ecclesiastes 10:12 NIV
Dear God, sometimes we are quick to speak and act before we pause and reflect. Although in our hearts we feel we are right our words may come from a place of anger rather than love, forgive us. Give us the spiritual discernment to know when to speak and when to pause until the appropriate time to proceed. Help us to reflect your love in our words and actions in Jesus’ name, amen.
A few words “fitly spoken” here, Bernadine. Thank you for the reminder.
Amen to that Bernadine. You are right; we need to pause sometimes when we respond to words or actions of others. Thank you for the reminder for pausing before proceeding.
Great post Bernadine. You are right, even when we think we are right, doesn’t mean we should always go forward.