As we navigate the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, encounters with rudeness and impatience may become more frequent. In these moments, we face a crucial choice – to respond with grace, guided by Scripture, or to allow our fleshly instincts to dictate our reactions. 

Scripture for Reflection: Colossians 4:6 (ESV) – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”* 

Choosing Grace: 

1. Patience in Adversity: When faced with rudeness or impatience, remember the patience God has shown us. Proverbs 15:1 advises, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” 

2. Reflect Christ’s Love: Remind yourself of Christ’s love and extend it to others. Ephesians 4:32 encourages, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 

3. Seasoning Your Speech: Colossians 4:6 encourages us to season our speech with grace. Before responding, consider how your words reflect the love of Christ and bring a positive influence to the situation. 

4. Guarding Against Offense: Proverbs 19:11 urges, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Choose not to be easily offended, recognizing that everyone is navigating their own stress. 

5. Prayerful Response: Take a moment to pray before responding. Seek God’s guidance in your words, asking for the wisdom to respond with grace and understanding. 

6. Reflecting God’s Character: In every interaction, strive to reflect the character of God. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us of the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 
 

Everyone struggles with knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, but not just during the holidays.  The Bible is replete with wisdom regarding the weightiness of our words and the value of silence. Proverbs 17:28 tells us, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” 

Research suggests that on average, women speak around 20,000 words a day, while men use about 7,000. Our words can be like a river, flowing ceaselessly, or a reservoir, contained and purposeful. Some people speak every thought that crosses their minds, while others observe, carefully choosing when to voice their thoughts. 

Consider the different personas we encounter: the brutally blunt, the hesitant and quiet, the observant and thoughtful, and those who weigh their words before sharing. How do we align our speech with God’s desire for our words? 

The Bible encourages us to let our speech be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6). Ephesians 4:29 advises, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

In our journey to align our speech with God’s desire for our words, we must not only understand the wisdom found in Colossians 4:6 and Ephesians 4:29 but actively incorporate them into our daily lives. 

1. Practice Thoughtful Listening: Before we utter a single word, let’s make a conscious effort to truly listen to others. James 1:19 reminds us, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak.” 

2. Reflect on Your Words: Take time at the end of each day to reflect on your conversations. Were your words filled with grace, encouragement, and wisdom? If not, seek forgiveness and commit to improvement. 

3. Pause Before Reacting: In heated moments, when emotions run high, pause before responding. Proverbs 15:1 encourages, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” 

4. Pray for Wisdom: In every situation, seek God’s guidance. James 1:5 assures us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” 

5. Encourage Others: Ephesians 4:29 emphasizes words that build up. Purposefully offer encouragement and positive affirmations to those around you, uplifting their spirits. 

6. Practice Silence When Necessary: Ecclesiastes 3:7 declares, “a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Recognize when silence is more impactful than words. 

7. Model Christ-Like Speech: Let your words be a reflection of Christ’s love. Matthew 12:34 reminds us, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Fill your heart with God’s Word, and let it overflow in your speech. 

May these actions become a natural part of our lives, shaping our words to be vessels of grace, love, and encouragement in every conversation.

Our words have the power to uplift or tear down, to encourage or discourage. God desires our communication to reflect His love and grace. In moments of silence, we can listen to His guidance, allowing His wisdom to shape our words. 
 

As we encounter stress and impatience during the holidays, let us be intentional in choosing grace. By aligning our responses with God’s Word, we can be a beacon of His love even in the midst of challenging situations. As you navigate conversations today, may you find the balance between speaking and listening, choosing words that reflect the love of Christ and contribute to the edification of those around you.