Are you using fool’s talk or lips of the wise when you’re interacting with your Words of Affirmation (WoA) spouse?
Proverbs 14:3 says: A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
Which would you say best characterizes the way you speak to your spouse?
As I’ve mentioned on this blog a number of times, I’m nowhere near perfect. In those moments when I screw up, in hindsight I can see that I was a fool in how I used my words. I either rush in without considering my impact at all, use a harsh startup to a conversation, use critical words, or follow up a compliment with something that didn’t need to be said that turns the conversation sour.
What I’ve noticed as I work on this WoA thing though is that, through having the rod to my back (figuratively) in those situations where I screw up, I learn. I learn to think before speaking. I learn to soften my startup. I learn the proper way to complain without being critical. I learn to affirm and then shut up before I screw it up with whatever comes out of my mouth next.
Definition of Wisdom:
the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment
My dad used to say that “wisdom is knowledge rightly applied.”
From this seemingly simple proverb and definition, I think there’s an important lesson in trying, learning from the mistakes we make that get highlighted by our spouses, and applying that knowledge the next time.
I’ve found this to be a long, slow process but I’m seeing that these small steps are paying off.
Agree? Disagree?