My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 1:19-21

Yesterday, I thought a lot about being quick to listen.

I caught myself several times refocusing on a conversation, trying to be the kind of friend God wants me to be.

But there's more to the verse than just being quick to do something.

There's a couple things James says we should be slow to do.

Let me start by saying, James says SHOULD.

Not "it would be nice if you could," or "when you find it convenient," or "sometimes try."

Nope.

He says we SHOULD be slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Errrrrrrrr.........

I have one friend who exemplifies this part of James 1 beautifully.

Sometimes when I spend time with her, I purposely try to be a little more on the quiet side.

It's an awkward thing for me, honestly.....to sit with a friend and soak in quietness.

I almost feel as if it's awkward for anyone around me to see me so quiet....

and typing that sentence is almost as embarrassing as realizing how true it is.

But, my point is this.

It's okay not to fill the air with our words.

And ..........

It's okay not to fill the Web with our constant status changes in life through Twitter and Facebook too.

Maybe if James were writing today he would say "slow to tweet and slow to become angry."

It does seem sometimes like people love to share angry status updates when they are frustrated with traffic, friends, etc.

hmmmmmmm.......

I wonder if anger is what causes us to stop listening and start sharing our opinion more often than anything else?

Today, I challenge you to slow down.

Not just in your speaking-words-part-of-life but in your every-kind-of action-part-of-life.

Slow down.

Be still.

Be calm.

Breathe deep.

Love life.

Laugh.

Be happy.

Consider it joy............