Chapter 15

Proverbs 15 (Susan)

"A SOFT answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit." Proverbs 15:1,4

No matter how we feel, we can give a kind word to others. The words of Solomon spoken here brought to memory an incident between my son and his teacher at the beginning of the second grade. His teacher was very strict and her words were harsh to the students. Needless to say the children did not like her at all. After a bout with her, my son came home crying and told me all about it.

There was really little that I could do at the moment to change the situation, but I told my son, 'we’ll fix her.' I told him to say something nice to her everyday, offer to help her, draw a picture for her and tell her she was his favorite and soon she would become his favorite. He complained and said 'she isn’t my favorite.' I asked him who was the worst teacher. He said she was. I said ok, then she is your favorite bad teacher but leave that part out, you will hurt her feelings and she may be worse. So just be very nice for a while and see what happens. He smiled and got out his crayons and drew a picture to take to school the next day. A few days later when he came home he was all smiles. I sat down with him and excitedly asked what happened. He said 'she liked the pictures and said thank you, and I said thank you pretty lady and she smiled at me all day.' A couple of months later he told me that now she was his favorite good teacher.

It may not be easy sometimes, but grievous words stir up anger and will always make things worse. It is worth a try; a smile will begin to melt the ice of the coldest heart.

Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance.

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment--how good it is!