Ask Henry >> Biblical Behavior

Impulsive Words 

Wally bounced out of bed in a good mood. He greeted his wife with a friendly hug and kiss. They had a pleasant breakfast together, and after a tender good-by kiss, he headed for the garage–whistling a tune to himself.

He was pleased with himself because he got an early start and would be able to get some desk work out of the way before the start of a busy day.

Everything changed when he put the car key in the switch and glanced at the gas gauge. It was on empty.

"I told that stupid wife of mine to put gas in the car when she used it last night. And she didn't do it!"

Wally was seething as he waited at the gas pump for the tank to be filled. Already, he was rehearsing what he would say to his wife that night.

It was a busy day, so the gas-tank episode was forgotten until he headed home. The closer he got to home the angrier he became.

Wally slammed the door of his car and headed for the house. He brushed past his wife, mumbling a gruff, "Hello."

"What's wrong with you?" she asked.

"Nothing!"

"There must be something wrong," she mused.

She pressed for an answer. "Did you have a rough day at work?"

She had no idea what was going on underneath his skin, or she might have had some second thoughts about pursuing the question.

Then he unloaded. "Yes, I had a rough day. I left early to get some deskwork done, only to find an empty gas tank. So instead of getting a head start, I spent my time sitting beside a gas pump. Didn't I tell you to put gas in the car? Why don't you listen to me? Why is that I can never depend on you? I'm fed up with your lack of consideration. All you think about is yourself."

His wife burst into tears.

"Quit your crying," he went on. "Do I have to put up with an emotional woman on top of your irresponsible behavior?"

Before he was halfway through, Wally was sorry he had started his tirade. But once he got started, he figured he might as well finish it.

If his employees ever tried talking to him that way, he would have fired them. He wouldn't think of speaking to his friends the way he just addressed his wife.

By now, the children were listening, too. "You kids…get out of here!" He shoved one of them backward and kept on yelling.

By spewing out this torrent of words, Wally made a fool of himself and felt foolish about it. But the words were out.

He was especially disturbed over his choice of words and the manner in which he had delivered them. This wasn't the first time this happened. He ruined many an evening with his sharp tongue and then had to figure out how to patch things up.

Hasty, careless, impulsive words can turn a pleasant day into a nightmare.

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Dr. Brandt’s insights and time-tested principles are available to you through his audio messages, transcripts, and books. This story is taken from Dr. Brandt’s book, “I Want Happiness Now!”

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The names and certain details in this true case history have been changed to protect each person’s identity and privacy.