Don't Be Fueled!

There was an old philosopher of Greece who one day found himself receiving a very severe tongue lashing from his wife. When he continued to listen in silence it caused his wife to become even more infuriated. Finally, she picked up a bucket of cold water and threw it at him, leaving him completely drenched from head to foot. While the water was still dripping from him, he very calmly said, “After that thunder and lightning I rather expected a shower.”

Some situations in this life truly challenge our desire to remain calm. It has been pointed out that you can measure the size of an individual by what it takes to get to them. There is a lot of truth in that statement. When we are pushed to the limit, how well does our character stand up? If we choose to fight fire with fire we simply help in building a bigger fire.

Solomon warned…
“As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, SO IS A QUARRELSOME MAN FOR KINDLING STRIFE.” ( Proverbs 26:21 ESV)

Solomon advised…
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” ( Proverbs 15:1 ESV)

Don’t allow the actions of others to “fuel” our responses. Let our responses be prompted by the character God is striving to instill within us.

Have a great day RESPONDING IN THE LOVE OF GOD!
Carl
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[This focus was originally sent 11/28/1998, (Edited some and passages have been changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Behavior