Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
A fool shares everything and anything with others without consideration of whether the recipient is a safe place for this information. Wise people are discerning about how they share sensitive information. When interacting with a person you see has unhealthy tendencies, don’t feel obligated to overshare with them.
I am a people pleaser, so this is hard for me! I want to reach out even when the other person has completely ghosted me. I’m often inclined to share our story freely because I desire connection. Including others is my superpower, but I’ve learned that being selective, thoughtful, and kind is a good way to guard your heart and calendar. I only have space for a limited number of safe, invested people. I have to prioritize them. People who don’t know me well don’t need to know everything about me or my family. If you are an extraverted empath, you will struggle with this, but the older I get, the more I see that my heart is precious and deserves to be cared for.
Proverbs 18:7 warns, “A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.” Don’t be a fool, control your mouth to remain safe in your relationships.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/jeffbergen