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If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit. Remember that “a soft answer turneth away wrath.” Proverbs 15:1 . And there is wonderful power in silence. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate. But anger met with silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies away.

Respond to harsh words with silence and a tender spirit to calm anger rather than escalating it. The passage provides ethical and behavioral counsel on handling interpersonal conflict through restraint and forbearance, supported by a biblical proverb and observation of emotional dynamics.

Under a storm of stinging, faultfinding words, keep the mind stayed upon the word of God. Let mind and heart be stored with God's promises. If you are ill-treated or wrongfully accused, instead of returning an angry answer, repeat to yourself the precious promises:

Keep the mind focused on scriptural promises when facing criticism or mistreatment. The paragraph offers spiritual guidance on cognitive focus and meditation on scripture during interpersonal distress.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 .

Overcome evil with good as instructed by scripture. This paragraph consists entirely of a direct biblical quotation offering moral and spiritual direction.

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” Psalm 37:5, 6 .

Commit your way to the Lord and trust Him for vindication. This paragraph consists entirely of a direct biblical quotation offering spiritual trust and divine justice.

“There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” Luke 12:2 .

Hidden things will eventually be revealed. This paragraph consists entirely of a direct biblical quotation regarding divine omniscience and future revelation.

“Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” Psalm 66:12 .

God delivers His people through trials into abundance. This paragraph consists entirely of a direct biblical quotation expressing deliverance from hardship.

We are prone to look to our fellow men for sympathy and uplifting, instead of looking to Jesus. In His mercy and faithfulness God often permits those in whom we place confidence to fail us, in order that we may learn the folly of trusting in man and making flesh our arm. Let us trust fully, humbly, unselfishly in God. He knows the sorrows that we feel to the depths of our being, but which we cannot express. When all things seem dark and unexplainable, remember the words of Christ, “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” John 13:7 .

Trust in God rather than human beings, recognizing that human support can fail. The paragraph encourages shifting reliance from humans to God during emotional distress, citing divine understanding and future clarity.