Proverbs 12:15-16

               THE WISE WEIGH THEIR WORDS (12:15–16): 

“Fools think they need no advice.”

¹⁵ 
The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,
But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.
¹⁶ 
The [arrogant] fool’s anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense],
But a prudent man ignores an insult.

To pause and reflect before we speak.  The fool’s anger is quickly known.  I have been on the receiving end of such eruptive anger, and I have been the source of theses outbursts.
For me, when this kind of allegation hits, this anger than vomits all over you, a sense of indignation takes over.  You want to clarify, justify, explain, hurt with your words.  Lady Wisdom would prefer that we didn’t.  She would prefer that we hold our tongues in response to the outburst and show decorum, allowing our response to show sound judgement and good taste. To not fight back is my key.  To not have to win the argument…..and that is so much easier said than done.  Satan stirs the fire and reminds us what was said and the tenacity with which we were approached and attacked.  Decorum is a choice that we have to make in the heat of the battle.  A prudent man IGNORES an insult.  That doesn’t mean you didn’t hear it, but that you are choosing not to react to it.  A wise and prudent man listens to counsel and weighs his words.  
I have also been in the moment when a white heat threatens to take over and spill out of me like a geyser- hurting, maiming and crippling whoever my words are intended for.  Like a geyser, I know when the pressure is mounting and I am about to blow. I have a choice though, unlike the geysers found in Yellowstone.  I can choose not to. I can choose to curb the explosivity of the geyser and channel that power into wise words that encourage conversation, rather than defense.
Wisdom continues to guide us in ways of relationship that foster safety and intimacy for those that we interact with.  This is truly living, a life bursting with color and possibility…one where we are at peace and harmony with our surroundings and relationships, fostering joy through each interaction.