On a scale of 1 – 10 where do you grade yourself for gentle words? One is very poor and ten is very good at speaking gentle words.
For some personalities speaking gentle words comes much easier. Peaceful Phlegmatics like to keep the peace at all costs. They don’t have strong opinions so they don’t easily get irritated. They are usually calm, cool and collected by nature.
But for their opposite, the Purposeful Choleric, gentle words do not come easily. This take charge, in control, goal oriented, get-the-job done personality has strong opinions. Their goals can be easily frustrated by others lack of performance or motivation. Gentle words are not their first choice of words.
The Perfect Melancholy being highly motivated to get it right can also become easily frustrated and cut to the heart quite quickly, especially with their family. However, because they usually think before they speak, they may not say anything but will be stewing underneath the surface..
The Playful, Social Sanguine, being a people pleaser and very sociable, may let harsh words slip out before thinking. But once they realize they’ve hurt someone they apologize quickly and let offenses go quickly.
But as disciples of Christ who desire to fulfill our mission, harsh words do not serve us or the mission well. This is an area we need to work on in order to earn the right to be heard through the testimony of our words or our life.
I think the five keys for communicating are worthy of our attention as we work to bring our words in line with the gentle Spirit who dwells within us.
Seek to make others feel at ease
Show respect for the personal dignity of others
Avoid blunt speech or abrupt manner.
Don’t be threatened by opposition.; gently instruct
Do not belittle or degrade a brother or sister who has fallen.
Lord, we submit to the Holy Spirit who dwells within us as we communicate to others. Make us consciously aware of the ability to choose to be gentle.
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