I was thinking about this phrase today. Not because I am thinking I may be arrested or that I have been arrested. Nope. I was thinking about how sometimes I need to be careful of what I say to some people. Some of the most innocent phrases or discussions end up being "used against you." Do any of you deal with this as well?
You have the right to remain silent...
Choose your words carefully. I've gotten much quieter as I've aged. I try to think about the words I'm going to say. Why am I going to say it? What good will it do? Will it be a benefit? Will it have a negative impact? Since I've never been great at small talk this can be even a little more crippling for me in a group of people. Of course, I don't always do the best job and something wrong comes on out. Sometimes I may even say all the best things. Either way, it is important to remember that anything I say can be used against me. Do any of you struggle with this as well?
You have the right to remain silent...
But sometimes you have to speak. Silence can be perceived as agreement. Depending on the discussion, to be silent speaks more loudly than words. This can be a real challenge when those around me have an opinion that is different from my own. I have found through the years that I need to speak God's truth and share my opinions even when they differ from other people's opinions - especially when they differ from other people's opinions! Again, I try to be responsible with my words, speak with love, and be respectful of what people believe. Even so, I have found that anything can be used against me. Have any of you dealt with this as well?
You have the right to remain silent...
Then there are times when I want to speak - I want to defend - I want to explain. I've had people comment on my marriage, on my being a stay at home mom, on wasting my college degree, on where I live, on what I do with my spare time, on my spirituality... this list goes on and on and on. When this occurs I find myself wanting to defend my decisions, come back with a rally cry of the sacrifices I've made, scream about what I've done with my life and what I hope to do still. However, when I'm at my best, I just sit back and breathe and pray and try to let it go. These things are best handled with as much humility as I can muster. I hope to get support and love from my circle of family and friends. However, if I don't get that support it is important for me to remember that I wasn't made for this world. When I die, I will have to answer to God for the decisions I've made while on this earth. And although I do the best I can in these situations, I still find that anything I say can be used against me. Have you ever felt confronted with these situations?
You have the right to remain silent...
There is an art to knowing when to speak, what to say, how much to say, or when to exercise that wonderful right to remain silent. It is something I will probably struggle with throughout life. And whether I do everything right or not when it comes to my words, anything I say can be used against me. Makes me wonder... what do you do to help you determine when to be silent and when to speak?
"A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse one crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 15:4
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