Family Communication
Slow Response Time

Scripture Reading: James 1:19-25

Key Verse: James 1:19

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

The title “Slow Response Time” is normally a phrase that is not a compliment! We hate it when our computers don’t respond quickly to a keystroke. The media hammers away at emergency services that have a consistent “slow response time.” However, the Bible wants us to see one area where that phrase is a very good compliment: In our communications with the people around us. The Apostle James tells us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

We probably all need to have a homework assignment for this coming week. All of us should focus on slowing our response times down to our loved ones’ comments—especially those comments that offend us in some way! Slowing our response time can produce a couple of possibilities. First, if we give ourselves time to think about it, we may decide no response is needed or helpful! Secondly, if we have time to form our thoughts, we may decide to respond and give a kinder and more effective response.

You may not agree with me, but I’m convinced that our first thoughts about most negative circumstances and comments of others are seldom the best thought. Giving ourselves a few moments to take a breath and think will almost always give us better thoughts, thus better responses.

Father, I ask for your Holy Spirit in me to help me to slow my response time down today. In Jesus’ name, amen.