John 16:12  “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.” (NLT)

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There are moments when I really want to make a point. I want to hammer home a truth. I want to push someone into conformity or obedience. It’s usually at this point that I realize whoever needs to be taught a lesson cannot possibly receive or deploy any more information. 

There is a choice for a parent or leader in moments like these. We can be patient, or we can be powerful. Proverbs 16:32 says, 

Better to be patient than powerful; 
better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Power can lead to victory over another person. 

Patience can lead to victory over our pride. 

Pride kills. It kills learning. It kills relationships. It insidiously destroys all it touches unless it is arrested, removed, and locked away. 

Sometimes, we say all a person can receive at that moment. Stop right there.

The gift of timing empowers us to wait for the next good moment to extend additional information and necessary learning. 

Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is to stop talking. 

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I will be more patient and less powerful.

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Our Father, place a guard over my mouth to keep me from saying too much. Give me the wisdom to know when to push forward, when to pull back, and when to stop talking. Amen.