Proverbs 13:16 All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
“Cautious Whispers” is a figurative and poetic expression that suggests carefully chosen words rather than impulsive or reckless speech. Be cautious about who you share your burdens with – the apathetic, careless and unconcerned will despise you.
Words unspoken die unborn – Kenneth Haigen.
Prudence teaches us to act wisely and discreetly. There is an excellent example of a woman who responded with prudence in a crucible crisis. The house of the Shunammite woman was Prophet Elisha’s favorite destination. His visits brought a long-awaited blessing to her and the Lord blessed her with a son. One day the son died. The response of the Shunammite woman teaches us volumes about prudence. She didn’t howl and cry or run to doctors, relatives or friends. She laid the dead boy on the bed of the prophet and rushed to the prophet. When Elisha saw her from a distance, he instructed his servant Gehazi – “run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” (2 Kings 4:26). Her response was “Everything is all right”. She refused to share her burden to the messenger who had no anointing.
Do not be vulnerable and expose the weightiness of the heart to everyone who appears to be concerned. Our problem will become the gossip of the town if we are not prudent. There is an old saying that goes, “The face is like a mirror to the heart” but the Bible teaches us the contrary. Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult (Proverbs 12:16). The prudent act wisely and speak succinctly.
Cautious Whispers:
- Choose: Be prudent when you share your feelings with others. Not everyone shares our pain or will pray for us – Most times prayer-points turn into chatter and slander.
- Confide: Confide only with those who are trustworthy. Elisha and Gehazi have stayed in this woman’s house several times. So, this Shunammite woman knew that the servant of Prophet Elisha was still a carnal man. Hence, she refused to confide in Gehazi.
- Careful: Pick your battles wisely. Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words (Proverbs 23:9).
Words unspoken die unborn.
Prayer: Lord God, help me to be prudent in my responses to problems and perils. Amen.
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