“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry… “ -James 1:19
Make today a “slow to speak” day.
I realize that’s going to be brutal for some, simple for others. But, either way, here’s how I want to encourage you to think about it:Be purposeful with your words.
You might be an out loud processor. But don’t use that as a cop-out to verbally vomit and be careless with your words. Pause and ask yourself, “is the right time to process?”
- Is this the time?
- Is this the person?
- Is this the place?
If yes, go for it!
If no, or if you’re not sure, hold off.
That said, some of us—I’m in this camp—use internal processing as a justification for withholding. We’re slow to speak, if we speak at all. The situation was begging for me to interject, be vulnerable, offer insight, admit my weakness… but I stayed silent.
“Slow to speak” means to be purposeful with you words, not to withhold them.
Slow down so that your words can be a gift—purposeful participation in the moment of human connection. After all, we’re in this thing together.