{"id":558,"date":"2017-01-10T16:11:19","date_gmt":"2017-01-10T16:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=558"},"modified":"2017-01-10T16:11:19","modified_gmt":"2017-01-10T16:11:19","slug":"benefit-biting-tongue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2017\/01\/benefit-biting-tongue.html","title":{"rendered":"The Benefit of Biting Your Tongue"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"pexels-photo-265186<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cLet no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.\u201d Ephesians 4:29<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this day and age, at a time\u00a0when it has become socially acceptable to immediately tweet and post every thought we have, we\u2019ve forgotten the value of the old adage, \u201cBite your tongue.\u201d There is value in not expressing every little thought that pops into our heads.\u00a0 There is value in being judicious about what we say and don\u2019t say to others.\u00a0 When we are careful with our words, our relationships are happier and the world generally is a more peaceful place.<\/p>\n

The problem with expressing our every thought and feeling is that our thoughts and feelings are fleeting. I may be irritated with someone at this moment, but more likely than not, that feeling will be gone by tomorrow.\u00a0 So, what is the value in expressing my irritation?\u00a0 I will only create conflict by doing so.<\/p>\n

For instance, yesterday it snowed in my neck of the woods. When I finally got home after a long day, I arrived to a driveway that hadn\u2019t been shoveled.\u00a0 I was mad that no one had done it, and I let everyone know it.\u00a0 But today, that feeling of irritation is completely gone.\u00a0 I can\u2019t even muster up the smallest amount of annoyance over the issue.\u00a0 Was it worth expressing my irritation yesterday, or should I have bitten my tongue?\u00a0 Should I have let the matter go and said nothing?<\/p>\n

Yes.\u00a0 I should have let it go. Not every issue needs to be addressed.<\/p>\n

Of course, important issues need to be addressed. We can\u2019t slide everything under the rug.\u00a0 If we do, resentment grows in our relationships like a cancer.\u00a0 But as we grow in wisdom and maturity, we learn which problems are worth addressing and which are worth letting go.<\/p>\n

Moreover, we don\u2019t always communicate most effectively with our words. For example, I have a teenage daughter and older stepchildren, all of whom are at different levels of emotional maturity.\u00a0 Trying to correct their behavior by speaking to them directly is about as worthwhile as slamming my head into a wall.\u00a0 So, my husband and I instead try to lead by example.\u00a0 Sometimes they get the point, and sometimes they just don\u2019t.\u00a0 But in many situations, setting a good example is far more effective than merely talking.<\/p>\n

It is also worth remembering the old saying, \u201cActions speak louder than words.\u201d We don\u2019t always have to express ourselves with our words.\u00a0 So, if I don\u2019t like what someone is saying, I can choose one of two options: I can argue, or I can walk away.\u00a0 Arguing is always a waste of time.\u00a0 It always is far better to walk away.\u00a0 Walking away conveys your displeasure effectively.\u00a0 And it protects you from saying something that you will later regret.<\/p>\n

Our goal each day should be to use every one of our words to build others up. If we aren\u2019t doing so, then we should be biting our tongues.\u00a0 Today, consider asking God to give you wisdom so that all your words give grace to those who hear them.\u00a0 And ask God to give you the strength to bite your tongue when needed.<\/p>\n

(Photo Courtesy of Pexels)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cLet no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.\u201d Ephesians 4:29 In this day and age, at a time\u00a0when it has become socially acceptable to immediately tweet and post every thought we…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[30],"class_list":["post-558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-communication"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Benefit of Biting Your Tongue - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2017\/01\/benefit-biting-tongue.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Benefit of Biting Your Tongue - 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