Stop Striving

The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.It is honorable for a man to stop striving,Since any fool can start a quarrel.

Proverbs 20:2-3 (NKJV)

Six volatile words stand out: wrath, roaring, provokes, anger, striving, and quarrel. They paint a picture of the kind of troubling atmosphere many of us can sometimes find ourselves in. It is true, we cannot always avoid the fact that people around us and people who have authority over us are sometimes grumpy. They are sometimes even dangerously agitated. We can’t always change them, but we do have the power of choice for ourselves. We can choose not to growl back. God calls this honorable. I like the blunt comment: “Any fool can start a quarrel.” It’s been said, “He who angers you, conquers you.”

Gary Smalley, in his book The DNA of Relationships, says, “In every power struggle, people become instant adversaries; they take up opposing positions and try to crush their opponent. And do you know what? Every time that happens, Satan is very pleased.”

Well then, if you are a child of God, pleasing Satan by fueling strife should just not be an option. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9, KJV). And in Philippians 4:5 we have this good word: “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (NIV).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Ever hear the expression “don’t tangle with a bear robbed of her cubs”? Most angry people are upset because they feel robbed of something called “happiness.” They might be taking their frustration out on you, but it often isn’t about you at all. They are just venting. What they really are lacking is joy.

Joy comes from the Lord. So how’s your joy quotient? Have you thanked the Lord for his love yet today? Did you remember your name is written in heaven, your sins are forgiven, and God’s thoughts toward you are as numerous as the sands of the sea? If so, rejoice. Let the joy of the Lord be your shield and your strength.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 17:1–18:34; Romans 9:25–10:13; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 20:2-3