Stop. Slow. Go. – A Bible Journaling Devotional on James 1:19
Have you ever reacted too quickly and later wished you could rewind the moment? 🙋♀️ I think we’ve all been there. That’s why James 1:19 is one of those verses that gently corrects and lovingly guides:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
As I meditated on this verse, I couldn’t help but picture a traffic signal—you know, that simple but powerful tool that keeps everything flowing in order. It became the perfect inspiration for my Bible Journaling page.
🛑 Stop and Listen
Before we react, before we speak—let’s stop. Take a breath. Let’s pause long enough to listen—not just to the person in front of us, but to the whisper of the Holy Spirit.
A few years ago, the City of Dallas decided to install “red light cameras” in busy intersections. Although these light were annoying, they kept a lot of people from running the red light. When a person ran the red light, they would receive a ticket in the mail (I know this because my two daughters received one!). Recently, the City has removed all the cameras and I can’t tell you how many people I see running red lights. It’s gotten to the point that before I start off, I wait a few seconds to make sure that there isn’t a car barreling through the red light.
Ever since my daughter’s got a ticket, when I come to a stop and count to 5 before moving on! I think that this is what we should do before we speak. Count to five, pray and ask for God to give us the words.
“A food takes no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing his opinion”
If I knew that Jesus was standing next to the person I was talking to, would I be hasty with my comments? Maybe we all next to count to 5, like I do at a STOP sign, before we speak.
🟡 Slow to Anger
Anger often rushes in when we feel unheard, disrespected, or overwhelmed. But slowing down helps us invite God into the moment. His peace helps tame our temper and refocus our thoughts.
I’m a church choir director/worship leader at my church. Let me tell you, planning music for Sunday worship is not for the faint of heart. Everyone has their own opinion of what songs they want to sing. One year I was having a really bad Sunday morning and a older lady looked at the worship bulletin and asked me “Well, Carol, what are we singing this morning?". I definitely did stop or slow to respond because I replied “I’m sure it’s nothing that you will like” and I walked off. I felt so bad because I let my emotions and the situation that I was having get in the way of graciously replying.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
🟢 Quick to Hear
Being quick to hear is more than just letting someone talk. It’s about intentional listening—hearing with empathy and understanding, especially when it’s hard. It's a way to show love, value, and humility.
When I was growing up I always had to repeat myself to my grandmother. I truly think that it was because she wasn’t really listening. She was thinking of what she wanted to say next.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Creative Journal Page Details:
For this Bible Journaling entry, I used a signal light illustration to visually reflect the verse. I added:
“Stop and Listen” in the red light
“Slow to Anger” in the yellow
“Quick to Hear” in the green
Materials I used included watercolor and stickers for the signal lights. You can easily recreate this in your journaling Bible, notebook, or art journal!
Final Thoughts:
James 1:19 isn’t just a good idea—it’s a way to live wisely and walk closely with the Lord. The more we practice stopping, slowing, and listening, the more we reflect the character of Christ in our daily interactions.
So the next time tensions rise or you feel the urge to speak too quickly, picture that signal light. Let it remind you:
🛑 Stop. 🟡 Slow. 🟢 Go—with grace.
Journal Prompt:
Take a moment to reflect:
In what area of life do you need to stop and listen more?
What triggers your anger, and how can you invite God into that space?
Who is God calling you to truly hear today?