When to Shut Up

Proverbs 21:23 states, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles”.

How many times this week? How many have I started to say something, then stopped. I am unsure of the times.

Was I wrong? NOOOOO! Would it have solved anything? Probably not. Would it have stirred up a fight? Possibly. Would I have won the fight? Ooohhh, tough question. I would have felt like it for a second, then I would have realized that my pride won and everything else was a loss . . . which inevitably means that my pride would lose also, after I calmed down and saw what the arguing just to be right cost.

So, I stopped. Yes, I wrote that correctly. I stopped. I did say something. Because I won’t just stay quiet when things are wrong. That would also be wrong. I tried a gentle approach first. The scripture does not mean never talk, never speak up, or never say something that some would find contradictory. It means know when to shut up!!

I hate having to do that. I wish I could just spew the words that I have on the tip of my tongue. Because I am not wrong!! But, unfortunately, it doesn’t make me right to speak.

Tonight I am thankful for the times this week I have held my tongue. It is guarding my soul from troubles. I do see that. I will see it more next week, and even the week after that, when my emotions and ego calm down.

I know I will see it more later. Because this has happened before. And to quote the movie You’ve Got Mail: “when you say the thing you mean to say, the moment you want to say it, remorse inevitably follows.” I have had this happen before also. I prefer the ending with less troubles and remorse, thank you!