Soft-Answer Solution

Bible Reading: Proverbs 15:1-4; Philippians 2:3-4

“You’re always messing up this room,” Stella said as she pushed her sister’s things off the dresser. “You’re such a pig!”

“I am not, you’re the pig. And leave my things alone!” yelled Mila.

“Then keep your stuff off my side of the dresser!” Stella shot back.

The fighting escalated, and Mom soon appeared at the door to their room. “Girls! I’m tired of the constant bickering between you,” she said sternly. “You are sisters, and you should respect one another. Follow me.”

Stella and Mila glared at each other as they followed their mother into the back hall and watched as she got out some towels and a bottle of cleaning solution. “Now,” said Mom, “you are going to clean the big living room window. Once the window is so clean it looks like you could walk through it, then you can stop.”

Stella and Mila got to work, but they found it hard to get the window clean. The more solution they sprayed on the glass and rubbed with the towels, the streakier the window became. “This window is never going to get clean!” Stella said.

“Mom!” Mila called. “There’s something wrong with this cleaning solution.”

Mom came in from the kitchen. “The solution I gave you isn’t working?”

“No,” said Stella. “It’s just making it worse!”

“Well, your solution for solving disagreements isn’t working either,” said Mom. She came over and took the bottle of solution she had given them. “This is all-purpose cleaner—it doesn’t work on windows. And shouting and saying nasty things to each other doesn’t work to solve disagreements.”

“So what are we supposed to do?” asked Mila.

“God has a much different solution,” said Mom. “Instead of responding in anger, He says to give a soft answer. That means calmly talking through the problem and caring about the other person and what they have to say. That’s how you show others the love of Jesus—even when you don’t agree with them.” Mom went and got another bottle from the back hall. “Now, try this solution on the windows—it will work much better. And the next time you disagree about something, try God’s solution—I’m sure it will work much better too.” – Carol Baker

How About You?

Do you ever feel angry toward your brother or sister? Toward your parents or a friend? Do you react with harsh words or a bitter attitude? That’s not the way Jesus wants you to solve disagreements. Instead of making things worse by responding with anger and unkind words, ask Him to show you how to use His solution—a soft answer spoken in love.

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Today’s Key Thought:

Solve disagreements God’s way