We have all envisioned it, right? A black hole surrounded by whitish teeth, held in place by pinkish gums, in a gaping mouth surrounded by overstretched crimson cheeks. Just above the cheeks, a crinkled nose and squished eyes force a vein to pop out of the temple. At the center of it all is a strong muscle shaping tones created by a large force of air coming from an overworked diaphragm. This yelling can be a grenade lobbed into a serene pool. But, a shout echoing in the largest canyon masks the very words being delivered.
We have all done it, right? Our lungs and tongues bury our hearts and smarts. Blood rushes into our cheeks stressing them like air in an over-inflated balloon. That vein traversing our temple creates a throbbing exclamation mark to our lost control. Some scramble away from it to avoid the verbal shrapnel while others are drawn toward the adrenaline.
We have also all experienced the alternative, right? The old, wise person who breathes naturally while speaking softly. Some believe this is no way to be noticed and heard. But why does everybody hear it? Why does everybody respect the words – indeed, embrace the intelligent, calming words?
On Mount Horeb (the same mountain of God where Moses saw the burning bush and received the Ten Commandments), God asked Elijah to observe his surroundings. Elijah felt a strong wind, an earthquake and fire from the sky. Although each of these phenomena were powerful and dramatic, God was not in them. In contrast, when Elijah heard a still and small voice, God was there. It was in the calm, serene moment that God most clearly resonated with Elijah.
How do we apply this concept? Perhaps when we feel our blood pressure rising, we remember that wisdom is not often in storms, fire and earthquakes. Wisdom is rarely in drama, and shouting is always dramatic. When we calmly weather the events and keep our calm, that still small voice will often come from us and bless others with His wisdom.
Bene-action: In the next dispute, force a question upon yourself… “Am I escalating the storm, or breathing naturally while speaking?”
Common Sensitivity 