08/30/2026
YOU DON'T HAVE TO MATCH THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ROOM.
“A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” — Proverbs 15:1
Someone gets angry—we get angry.
Someone becomes sarcastic—we become sarcastic.
Someone attacks—we attack back.
But followers of Jesus don't have to be thermometers, simply reflecting the temperature around us.
We can be thermostats.
When others bring anger, we can bring peace.
When they bring hostility, we can bring grace.
When they bring division, we can bring reconciliation.
Gentleness isn't weakness.
It's strength under control.
So before you send the text, post the comment, answer the criticism, or respond in anger, ask:
“Am I about to raise the temperature—or lower it?”
You don't have to win every argument.
You don't have to attend every fight you're invited to.
And you don't have to let someone else's behavior determine yours.
Sometimes the most powerful answer isn't the loudest one.
It's the gentle one.