July 28
A Word
in Season
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 (NIrV)
Belinda sat at her desk, quietly typing away at a report when she overheard a heated conversation from the breakroom. Her co-worker, Jamal, was arguing with a Muslim colleague, Omar, about religion. Jamal had made a comment that felt more like a challenge than a conversation, and now Omar was visibly upset, raising his voice in response.
Belinda could feel her heart race. She was a Christian, and her faith meant the world to her. But she was also aware of how these conversations could escalate quickly. She didn’t want to be dragged into a confrontation, but she also didn’t want to leave things unresolved. Jamal and Omar’s words were becoming more pointed. Other employees had gathered around to watch, and the tension in the room thickened.
For a moment, Belinda hesitated. She didn’t want to make the situation worse. What if she said the wrong thing? What if Omar and Jamal ended up getting more upset? Still, she could feel God nudging her—this was a chance to bring peace.
Taking a deep breath, Belinda stood up and walked over to the group. She spoke in a calm but firm voice. “Hey, let’s take a step back for a moment,” she said. She turned to Omar first. “I know this conversation is important, but I think we’re both passionate about our faiths, and that’s okay. Let’s agree to listen to one another before we jump to conclusions. We may not agree on everything, but we can respect each other’s beliefs.”
The room fell silent for a moment. Jamal’s face softened. Omar looked at Belinda, clearly surprised by her willingness to de-escalate the situation. Belinda continued, “I believe Jesus teaches us to show grace in our words, especially when talking about sensitive topics. We all have things to learn from each other.”
Belinda’s heart pounded in her chest as she said it. She knew she was speaking from a place of faith—her words weren’t just about defending her beliefs, but about honoring the dignity of both Omar and Jamal. She was allowing her faith to guide her actions, trusting God to work through her.
Omar gave a small nod. Jamal sighed, his arms crossed in front of him, but he seemed to calm down. “Okay,” Jamal said, “let’s take a breath.”
With the situation diffused, Belinda sat back down at her desk, her hands trembling slightly. She whispered a prayer of thanks, grateful for God’s guidance in that moment. She had chosen to speak with grace, not to win an argument, but to keep the peace and reflect the love of Christ.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for guiding me when I need it most.
Help me to speak with grace and kindness, especially when conversations become difficult.
Teach me to honor others, even when we disagree, and to always reflect Your love in my words.
Give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to listen.
I trust that You will give me the courage to be a peacemaker in all situations.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
