The Value of Reflection - by Toni Babcock
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath," (James 1:19 KJV).
Reflection is an attribute of wisdom. When we choose to reflect on an issue, it promotes thoughtfulness before initiating a reaction, and brings control tothe tongue. It's like the bit in the horse's mouth. The Bible says, "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him," (Proverbs 29:20 KJV). So then, to reflect on a matter means we will not jump to conclusions. We will not have a one size fits all strategy for solving every type of problem. We will not be prone to attaching labels to boxes that seal people in, sending them off in the wrong direction.
Wisdom that initiates reflection is ready to hear, and slow to write off the difficult person. It studies the matter behind the matter, recognizing its own hopeless condition were it not for the grace of God. Reflection that is born of wisdom thinks first and speaks last. It digs deep. It reads between the lines and generally draws the right conclusions. Those conclusions may not always be liked, but to those that have ears to hear (Matthew 11:15 KJV) they will generally ring true.
God grant us hearts that are swift to hear and slow to speak, according to His Word.
Toni M. Babcock is the author of The Stone Writer, Christian Fiction for Young Readers and Teens.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath," (James 1:19 KJV).
Reflection is an attribute of wisdom. When we choose to reflect on an issue, it promotes thoughtfulness before initiating a reaction, and brings control tothe tongue. It's like the bit in the horse's mouth. The Bible says, "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him," (Proverbs 29:20 KJV). So then, to reflect on a matter means we will not jump to conclusions. We will not have a one size fits all strategy for solving every type of problem. We will not be prone to attaching labels to boxes that seal people in, sending them off in the wrong direction.
Wisdom that initiates reflection is ready to hear, and slow to write off the difficult person. It studies the matter behind the matter, recognizing its own hopeless condition were it not for the grace of God. Reflection that is born of wisdom thinks first and speaks last. It digs deep. It reads between the lines and generally draws the right conclusions. Those conclusions may not always be liked, but to those that have ears to hear (Matthew 11:15 KJV) they will generally ring true.
God grant us hearts that are swift to hear and slow to speak, according to His Word.
Toni M. Babcock is the author of The Stone Writer, Christian Fiction for Young Readers and Teens.
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