When I suggested that people control themselves even when they’re ‘provoked’ a few people responded by saying, “That’s easier said than done.”

I want to thank you for sharing that insight with me. In all my years on Earth, I hadn’t noticed that saying something is easier than doing something. I’ve heard people say, “Talk is cheap” and now, finally, because of you, I understand what that means.

You have opened up a whole new universe of wisdom for me! Your sage observation is proving true about everything!

It’s easier to talk about going to the moon than to go to the moon.

It’s easier to talk about playing piano than to play the piano.

It’s easier to say, “I’m going to lose weight” than to lose weight.

And then there’s your observation which absolutely blew my mind; It’s easier to talk about self-control than it is to control yourself.

Under these circumstances, I should not respond to you with sarcasm. Instead of snark, I should be respectful to your feelings. I should keep my mockery to myself and spare your ego. But that’s easier said than done.

The book of Samuel tells the story of Hannah who said if God gave her a son, she would give that son back to God. After God gave her a boy (Samuel) she probably struggled a bit with giving him up. If you had been there, you could have encouraged her by saying, “It’s easier to make promises than to keep them.”

Perhaps, in the future, you’ll think about what you’re saying before you speak. It’s good to consider your words before you open your mouth. But let me give you a helpful insight; that’s harder to do than to say.

“And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

(1 Samuel 1:11)