Our Pyroclastic Cloud

So, I am completely fascinated by nature. I love being outside. I love watching weather. I am completely amazed by the sheer power of nature. Volcanos are one of those things found in nature that I just find so fascinating. Perhaps it is because I watched Dante’s Peak as a child and heard the stories of Mount St. Helen’s explosion but nevertheless I’m totally awe struck by them – everything about them really.

One of the elements of a volcanic explosion that I am terrifyingly interested in is the pyroclastic cloud. It is the extremely hot (reaching up to 1800 degreees Fahrenheit) destructive fast moving (averaging speeds of 100+ but capable of reaching 700/mph) cloud of gas and volcanic matter that precedes the erupting of then lava in a full fountain eruption. It is considered to be one of it not the most destructive part of a volcanic explosion. (It is the cloud responsible for the remains at Pompeii.)

As the venting of the volcano is incredibly destruction, so is the venting of our minds. Solomon teaches us that a fool vents his feelings. A fool spews or erupts and word vomits all his thoughts – he shows no restraint. Yet, a wise man or woman quietly holds himself/herself back.

I immediately thought of my volcano obsession when I read this proverb this morning. Venting one’s feelings is incredibly destructive just like a pyroclastic cloud. It lays waste to everything in ear shot. It destroys reputations. It harms and can even eradicate relationships. It is often rooted in some time of emotional outburst. It is often a spewing of inward feelings. Once shared, the damage is incredibly hard to undo and sometimes it cannot be repaired.

We think and feel a great many things. About 99% of the things we think and feel we should keep to ourselves. They are reflective of our own perspective. They are born often out of our own self interest. They are rooted in emotionalism. They are fleeting – meaning our thoughts and feelings are constantly changing. Our inward thoughts should be our own.

Instead of keeping them to ourselves we often feel the need to “vent.” Now, this can be a healthy practice when done with the right person in the right circumstance but venting isn’t something we should do from day to day with everyone. That is how a fool lives – venting his inner thoughts to everyone.

Instead, we should be very selective when we share our inner thoughts and feelings. We should hold back our tongues from spewing the thoughts from our mind. Afterall, James tells us the tongue is like a wildfire. It can burn and burn and burn if left uncontrolled.

We must control ourselves and think before we speak. And, we should be very selective with those we share our inner thoughts.

So before you speak it ask yourself:
❓Does this need to be said?
❓Why am I sharing this?
❓Who am I “venting” to?

Remember, a fool spews his inner thoughts while the wise man quietly holds himself back.

Don’t be a fool. Restrain your tongue.