To Be or Not to Be?

I want you to think about something this week.  It's something that might just change your life, as it has mine...or at least, it's in the process of changing me.  

It's just a few words, but the Words are from the very mouth of God, Himself.  That's what makes it life-changing.  His Word alters us.  It changes us.  At least, it always should.

Proverbs 29:11 states:  "A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back."  Now, let me ask you.  How many times have you been labeled "foolish" according to this verse?  I'm afraid I've been labeled more times than I would like.

Sometimes, it's as if I can't help it.  My mouth opens and the more I rant, the more easily the words seem to flow.  Oh, and they sound SO good to my ears.  Each morsel reaching its intended target with velocity and fervency, growing more and more intense as I go.  Stressful relief happens, as the torrent continues and the feelings flow freely and fully...that is...

...until it's over. Then, my heart is heavy with my foolish behavior and my relationship, damaged with hurtful words.  The weight of my sin and the words that I have uttered in anger take away my joy and my ability to smile.  My relationship with God grows quiet and still...and not in a good way.    

One way to describe this "freely flowing landfall of feelings" is to use honey as an analogy.  Think about it.  When you first attempt to pour the sweet concoction, the thick syrup pours forth slowly.  It feels like it takes FOREVER, especially when you are waiting for it to sweeten your first cup of coffee in the morning.  Once it starts, however, it's incredibly difficult to stop.  Before you know it, your "touch of honey" has become a whole handful, and your morning cup of coffee is ruined - too sweet to even put to your lips.

What happened?  The honey "got away from you."  It became its own entity, pouring forth with its own will and going its own way.  A similar thing happens when we "vent all our feelings."  Our words become an entity of their own, pouring forth with their own will and going their own way - often much further than we ever intended them to go.

So, if you contrast the foolish behavior with that of the wise man, the fool vents all his feelings, but the wise man holds them back.  Now, holding back isn't illustrative of the quiet little mouse in the corner that never says anything.  That in NO way is characteristic of Christ.  Instead, the wise man has the same feelings as the foolish man, even with the same intensity.  Yet, the wise man doesn't let all the honey out of the jar at one time.  Instead, he purchases one of those syrup containers that cuts off the flow of syrup with the click of a finger.  You know the one I'm talking about? Yes, that's it. We just purchased one this week, as a matter of fact, for the very reason that we always get way too much honey in our morning drinks!

I digress!  No, it's not that the wise man doesn't "feel" the same as the foolish man - with the same intensity or passion.  It's just that the wise man is continually aware those feelings don't all need to pour forth from his mouth, especially when he is feeling vulnerable and a little out of control.

"To be or not to be - that is the question."  Better still...to be wise or not to be wise - that is REALLY the question.

Hmmm...how will we respond?

Oh, Jesus, help me with my words today.  Help me become wise by holding back my feelings, instead of venting them all.  Thank You for doing this in my life and changing me into Your image.