"The Least Said, The Easiest Remedied"

Have you ever heard a phrase that just seemed to stay with you over the years? "The least said, the easiest remedied", is a phrase my late Grandma Barber used to say often. She was a godly woman who understood the dangers of the tongue and the devastation and destruction that can be caused by rumors or gossip. James 1:19 says "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." Why is this so unnatural for us to do? Why do we always jump the gun and speak out of turn or get angry before we know all of the facts of a particular situation? I think it is because we speak before we think, get angry, and then say things that we can never retract.
Think about it, the less you say, the less you have to fix! I still don't have this little nugget of wisdom down pat, but I am challenged even today to work on it. We live a "broadcast yourself" society and I am convinced that I need to say less so that I don't have to fix more.
Have you ever said something that was misunderstood or misconstrued to mean something else? I am learning that even wall posts on Facebook can be misunderstood. A few weeks ago my sister-in-law had a post that said she was no longer listed as married. I reacted immediately and started a chain reaction of inquisition on this topic. It was a computer glitch that did not mean anything, but my reaction caused many to think otherwise. No worries, she and my brother are still happily married! See what I mean?
Today, I was reminded that I have to be careful what I write or say to even my wife on Facebook. I waited until I was 27 years old before I got married and I am pleased to say that my love for my wife increases everyday. I am challenged to be a better husband everyday and I am also challenged to edify and encourage her with compliments and sweet unexpected reminders of my gratitude of our love. "We love because HE first loved us." 1 John 4:19 You would think that my occasional encouragements through a wall post or facebook message would be a friendly reminder of the love Christ has given us, but even those motives and wordings can be misconstrued. I am learning how vast my potential audience is and that I must learn to discern that even innocent comments to my wife can be misunderstood. I guess my sweet grandmother was correct in her pearl of wisdom, "The least said, the easiest remedied." Let's work together to say less so that we can remedy less! For more information on this topic please go to zziiippiiitt.com

PS. I hope that I did not say too much in this blog...lol