Consider a "Soft Answer"

It was customary at sheep-shearing time to have great feasts and repay others who had helped protect the sheep from enemy raids. It was not unusual that David expected compensation after he and his men had protected Nabal's sheep and servants from the Philistines. When  Nabal  "railed" (yelled in contempt) at David's servants, David became furious! Great harm would have been done, but  Nabal's wife Abigail interceded with "a soft answer," turning away David's wrath.
 
How many times have we been done wrong, and we think, "I'm going to give them a piece of my mind"? Our first response is to justify ourselves. It is so hard to NOT fight back. How often has such an "answer" only added fuel to the fire, prolonging the conflict?
 
Today's verse shows the importance of "a soft answer," a timely, gentle response that defuses a difficult situation. How is that possible? The Book of Proverbs is full of wisdom, teaching us how to develop a disciplined life. Our words come out of the "abundance of the heart" (Luke 6:45). What we think about has a way of coming out in our words.
 
Do we give ones the benefit of the doubt? Do we seek first to understand, to listen instead of thinking of what we are going to say next? Martin Luther gave this good advice: "Take his words and actions in the kindest way possible." Another piece of good advice: "Get into the habit of taking a deep breath before responding." In that moment, ask for God's help to see the person and not their actions and for Him to give you "a soft answer."

Anger, however great, is checked by answer sweet.
—   Medieval Rhyme