Proverbs 21:23 says, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.”
The definition of calamity is a disaster or great misfortune. I remember a situation one time where I failed to control my words and the results were not good at all. Someone at work had really upset me, they had done something that offended me, and I knew I just had to tell them exactly how I felt. So I really let them have it. I laid into them and really told them off, sparing no details and holding nothing back. Although I felt better at the time, that feeling didn’t last.
Very soon after that, a great sense of remorse and regret came over me. I realized I had overreacted. But it was too late. The damage had been done. I had hurt this person in ways I could not repair and I had made a fool of myself.
What about you? Is there a situation where you’re really wanting to give someone a piece of your mind? Perhaps you’re at the end of your rope with a co-worker, supervisor, or someone who reports to you. Maybe you’re ready to, once and for all, tell them exactly how you feel and you’re ready to unload on them.
Let me encourage you–Don’t do it! Remember, if you’ll guard your tongue, you’ll keep yourself, and others, from calamity. So by restraining your words, you’re going to prevent something terrible from happening and you’re going to maintain your own integrity and dignity.
Find a more productive way to address the issue. Hold a calm and reasonable conversation with the person. Share your concerns, but control your tongue. If you will do this, you will be applying the truth at work.