Respond or React?

I got to thinking the other day, yes I do think sometimes... Has someone said something so rude or hateful that you just blurted out something hateful right back. You know what just happened, you sank to their level.(I hate when that happens). Someone told me that you need to respond NOT react. When you react its on impulse and it is all adrenaline and no thought. So if you respond you will end up getting the upper hand in the discussion and you will look like a million bucks while they end up looking like an idiot... And believe me I need all the help I can get in that department. As most of my friends know I am all impulse and no thought but those few wise words helped me to start thinking about what I'm going to say before i (have diarrhea of the mouth and) make myself look like the idiot. So in true Des blogging form I have some scriptures to help with the fight between responding and reacting!! "But shun profane and vain babbling, for they will increase to more ungodliness" Timothy 2:16 OK now tell me that one doesn't make you want to watch what you say.. "Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips." Proverbs 8:6-7 I have one more and this is the one we need to write on a little paper and put it in our pocket so every time you plunge your hand in to get your chap stick or some change at the gas station you will feel this piece of paper and remember "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue-Keeps his soul from troubles." Proverbs 21:23
I love the fact that no matter what we are going through you can find scripture in the Bible to help you. Its amazing that the Lord knew what we would have to experience ,even though all experiences are different, we can find comfort for all things in the Word of God... Thank you Jesus for being all knowing and giving us ONE book that holds the answers, the support and the comfort that we all will need in our lives..
That is MY goal, to do more responding and less reacting- to mean, lazy or hateful people. So I guess this is the true question. Are you going to respond or react? Be the better person, think of the Lords' words and.......... Respond.
Love in Christ,
Des