The 4 P’s

1. Pause. When you feel like you are overwhelmed, anxious or upset and someone asks you something, step back and take a moment to reflect. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to "Be still, and know that God is God." Pausing creates space for calm and allows us to refocus on God’s presence instead of reacting impulsively. So instead of that, Pause & take a moment to breathe deeply and ground yourself. This will allow you to resist the urge to respond emotionally and gives you time to compose yourself. We don’t want to say anything that we may regret. Psalm 141:3: "Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."
2. Pray. Now what if someone says something to you and you are insulted or offended?Before reacting, pause of course, but say a small prayer. Maybe, “Help me Holy Spirit!” You see, in moments of emotional intensity, prayer will help connect us to God’s peace and guidance. But we have to act with intentionality! Don’t just think about praying, be intentional about praying. Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:6 not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, pray and make your requests known to
3. Process. Now really think about why you were insulted or offended. Is it touching on a past wound or insecurity? Also, consider whether the person’s words say more about them, than about you! Remember, you just prayed, and by inviting God into this, you gain clarity and discernment to handle your emotions with wisdom. This means you will have some self-control. Proverbs 16:32 reminds us: "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city."
4. Proceed. Now we’re ready to respond or make our move; but do so with poise; whether it’s addressing the situation, setting boundaries, or choosing to let go. It is a must that you act in a calm & honest manner. If it is not worth addressing, walk away, but make sure you are letting it go period. Do not bring it back up again later on. Now if you want to respond, maybe you can respond, “Let’s keep this conversation respectful.”  The key is to stay grounded, avoid reacting impulsively, and focus on maintaining your peace and values. Managing the situation with grace often leaves a greater impression than reacting with a salty attitude.