Strength Also Knows When to Pause

12–15 minutes

Center · Stillness

Settle in

Put the phone down. Take one slow breath, and say: “God, I am here. Speak, I am listening.”

Read · The passage

Scripture

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

Proverbs 16:21, BSB

Learn · Reflection

Reflection

Strength Also Knows When to Pause

Talk · Conversation

Talk about it

Federer found that training his emotions mattered as much as training his body. In what moment of this week do you most need that training?

Thank · Gratitude

Give thanks

Today I thank God for a calm person I admire and for what they teach me without ever raising their voice, who is…

Ask · Prayer

Pray together

God, I want the kind of strength that knows how to pause. Help me think before I answer and speak gently even when I am right.

Begin · Application

Carry it into the day

Today, in the next argument, count three seconds before you answer and pick a kinder word than the first one that comes.

Scripture quoted from the Berean Standard Bible. Public domain (CC0)