Quit Quarrels! - The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional

Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Proverbs 17:14

Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (NKJV). Truthfully, sometimes I’m so frustrated that I’m not quick on my feet. I can never think of that clever, sharp thing to shoot back in a moment of anger. But in reality I am thankful. It’s sometimes better to be tongue-tied.

So much trouble is caused when tempers flare and words are used as weapons. One harsh word leads to one hurtful word, which leads to hateful looks and actions, and the damage goes deeper and deeper the longer it goes on. Stop. Just stop. Someone said, “The one that forgives, ends that quarrel.” And George Herbert said, “He who cannot forgive others destroys the bridge over which he himself must pass.”

In Genesis 13:8-9 Abram’s herdsmen had a conflict with Lot’s herdsmen. There were territory issues; so Abram went to Lot and said, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, . . . for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? . . . If you take the left, then I will go to the right” (NKJV).

Good job, Abram—and good example. He could have fought for his rights and probably won, but he laid down his rights and gave first choice to Lot. In the end, Abram did win, because “blessed are the peacemakers.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

I have a conflict in a relationship right now. The situation that caused the conflict can’t be done over. It’s history. So now I have a decision to make. I can replay the details and events over and over in my mind. But that only keeps the frustration fresh. In twenty years, none of those details will matter at all. What matters is that I really do care about the other person. Before God, I have committed to let love rule. When angry thoughts pop up in my mind, he helps me turn them to prayer.

Do you have an unresolved disagreement or argument? As our proverb today says, let’s drop the matter. And then let love rule.

One Year Bible Reading

1 Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12:1-23; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 17:14-15