Communication

I've learned something about communication I want to pass onto you.  My heart's been convicted that I should keep my words few.  The Bible says to do that.  I got that from Ecclesiastes 5:2, which says, "Cause not thy mouth to hasten, and let not thy heart hasten to bring out a word before God, for God is in the heavens, and thou on the earth, therefore let thy words be few."  For four days in a row last week, I made a point to keep my words few, and after each day, and throughout the day, I have felt peace in my spirit.  I have not felt peace in my spirit when I talk too much.  When I have talked too much, I have said things that are unnecessary, not helpful, annoying, and bring difficulties to those listening.  I know that in my communications with my husband, I can maintain peace by applying what God has said in His Word.  A few days ago, for a few moments, I almost lost the peace when I wanted to say some things to my husband during a conversation.  Being still and quiet, I soon learned I can back up and can keep the peace in my spirit by realizing that there is quite a falseness that peace can be maintained as long as I am understood.  I approached my husband to talk to him about something.  Part way through the conversation, I felt not understood, but when I thought before I talked, and thought and realized, asking myself, "Do I need to be understood in this area?"  "Is it important?"  It was not, I realized.  My husband made a few comments that by me listening to them, were sufficient to adding to the conversation, and I could accept and not force my view.  And it ended up being peaceful.  This is a way of maintaining peace in your spirit - by obeying God's Word in Ecclesiastes 5:2.