The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. Prov.15:28 (NLT) It takes self-control, self-awareness, wisdom and discernment to think carefully before speaking and responding. Be cognizant if you are easily offended, frequently defensive, and occasionally regret what you’ve said after the fact. Sometimes we are not observant of the impact of our words until we are told or we witness a shift in someone’s demeanor and attitude towards us after the encounter. None of us are perfect and we are all a work in progress. However, it is our responsibility to be committed and surrendered to let God continue to work on us to effectively work through us. Every interaction is an opportunity for us to reflect God’s love and grow in our own personal and spiritual development. It’s not about how forceful your words are but rather how faithful you are to measure your words with grace. Remember, maintain your focus on the purpose more than you are led to pack a harsh and powerful verbal punch. Difficult conversations are sometimes necessary, but delivery is extremely important. True power is being able to guard your tongue and manage your emotions. At the end of your conversations ask the question, did God get the glory or the enemy? Let’s go and grow together. ADaubon