Verse of the Day for August 18

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. We do this with people. We also do it with God.

When the answer to a prayer is no, the temptation is to answer back before we have heard the whole matter. He does not care. He is punishing me. It was all pointless. The reply forms before the listening is done.

Proverbs calls that folly, and it is. But it does not stop there, and it does not pretend the no is painless. Verse 14 asks an honest question: a wounded spirit who can bear? The book of wisdom admits there are wounds that strength cannot carry.

Both things are true at once. Do not answer too quickly, and do not pretend you are not hurt. A refusal, whether from a university, a doctor, a fiancee or from heaven, can wound the spirit deeply. The wise response is not to deny the wound. It is to stay long enough to hear what else is being said.

If you have received a no, tell God how it hurts, plainly. Then wait before you write the story of what it means. You may not hear the full reason in this life. But you will hear more than you would have if you had answered first.

Do not let the first interpretation of a disappointment become the last one.

Even the wise admit that some wounds are too heavy to carry alone.