We’ve all walked into the trap at least once.
I’m talking about the trap of arguing with a person who sees argumentative confrontation as his or her “home field.”
In sports, and in life, it’s difficult to win when playing on somebody’s home field.
Perhaps you’ve been snared recently in this trap.
Stinks, doesn’t it?
Listen, we live in a fallen world with people who sometimes behave like skunks when harsh words start flying.
I pray that you and I are cleansed of any skunk tendencies that might show up when conversations turn tense.
It’s so much better to remain calm, even in the midst of disagreement.
Fueling one another’s anger never helps parties to listen and think clearly, whether at home, at work, at school or even at church.
This topic is prompted this morning by a short, yet potent bit of wisdom in Proverbs 29:8.
“Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.”
It’s easy to find mockers. Just listen for those who stir the pots of discontent with ridicule, allegations, hurtful sarcasm, crass judgmentalism and so forth. Such people are more focused on tearing down than they are on building up.
Anger is both their fuel and their objective.
We must pray for their awakening and that we show them the better way.
When somebody is bubbling over with anger toward you — even if they don’t recognize its effect upon themselves — PLEASE respond with patient grace. Apologize if need be for any error made that disappointed the angry person. I’ll need to do the same.
As we turn away the negative emotions of others, even as we humbly accept any truthful words they might be offering to us, we not only protect ourselves from the stains of anger, but we also provide a living roadmap for how the angry person might find a better way to interact with others.
As always, I love you
Martin
