Before Answering the Phone - Sarah Young

Watch your words diligently.

Words have such great power to bless or to wound.

When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself.

This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted to only those I have created in My Image.

You need help in wielding this mighty power responsibly.

Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communication are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

Ask My Spirit to help you when ever you speak.

I have trained you to pray -- "Help me, Holy Spirit" -- before answering the phone, and you have seen the benefits of this discipline.


Simply apply the same discipline to communicating with people around us.

If they are silent, pray before speaking to them.

If they are talking, pray before responding.

These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence.

In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit.

As positive patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you.

   --- From Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

Reckless words pierce like a sword,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,

that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

My dear brothers, take note of this:

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak

and slow to become angry.

James 1:19