Have you ever said something in the spur of the moment that you immediately regretted?
With Twitter, Facebook, text messaging, and the like, it is easier than ever to stay connected. Right now, I am typing this blog post on my mobile phone.
However, it is also invariably easier to be too quick to speak, and, in doing so, speak without thinking. Just this past week, the Kansas City Chiefs suspended running back Larry Johnson because of his devisive comments on Twitter. Because of, and in spite of, our technological advances, and our reliance on social networking, we have lost something. Chuck Olliver, sports radio DJ in Atlanta, said it best: "We have lost our ability to pause." In normal conversation, we usually take the time to think through our thoughts. But, in social networking communication, we tend to "speak our peace," without stopping to think about what we are saying (or typing).
The Bible says in the book of James that we are to be "quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (James 1:19). We need to take the time to pause. Whenever your boss treats you unfairly, don't immediately post it on Facebook. When your wife isn't listening to you, don't tweet it on your way to work. Take a step back. Take a breath. Hit the pause button. Think it through. Try to see the other side.
Slow to speak, quick to hear, slow to anger. Trust me, it'll be worth the wait.
~E~
