"Unsent"

That letter unsent, nowhere it went,

Except in my Bible way back,

Had second thoughts, almost folded and tossed,

But then in my mind caught some flack.

Something inside said keep it, I tried,

To do something other than that,

Then realized that the letter comprised,

More than just some little chat.

In fact quite a vent, that was unsent,

And now looking back I am glad,

God’s wisdom lent, though I was hell-bent,

To say and send since I was mad.

But the Lord helped me stop, and not plant a crop,

Of discord between me and them,

The reminder is there, so I do not share,

The anger that would not please Him.

And when I am gone, and they sing my last song,

Get rid of the letter that day,

But until then, in God’s word like a friend,

It’ll help keep the anger away. 

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19, NIV)

This is great advice, don’t you think? I rarely regret what I don’t say. If we could all learn to listen better and react less, the world would be a better place. But how? By allowing our reactions to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. He will empower us to respond in a godly way, and keep our mouths shut until God gives us something to say. Many times we feel entitled to vent, but this is not true. We have relinquished our rights and all entitlement to Jesus. Thinking somehow it’s okay to tell people off or put them in their place is erroneous. We’re better off if the Spirit controls our emotions and words. Let Him.

Lord, help us be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tyler Crow, used by permission. Thanks, Tyler, and God bless you.