TWO BUCKETS

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! —Proverbs 15:23

When dealing with people it is important to say the right thing at the right time. Your words may bring healing, encouragement, and comfort. Or, if you are not careful, your words may damage, discourage, or cause pain.

It is as if you are carrying “two buckets.” One is filled with cool, refreshing water. The other is filled with gasoline. You need to exercise wisdom which bucket to use on different situations.

If you are dealing with someone who is angry, it would not be wise to pour the bucket of gasoline on his situation. That would only make matters worse. His situation calls for the bucket of water to cool him off.

When you are dealing with someone who is discouraged or depressed and ready to quit, he needs some gasoline to fire him up to keep going for God. If you poured water on him, that might push him over the edge to utter despair.

Remember, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21).