Proverbs 17:14
The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My husband and I live on a bluff overlooking Greers Ferry Dam, which backs up the Little Red River into a 40,000-acre recreational lake. A couple of years ago, the lake levels got so high due to heavy rains that the gates on the dam were opened ever-so-slightly to try to reduce the effects of flooding and account for further runoff from streams and tributaries. Even though this was miniscule in the scheme of things, the flow of additional water caused major headaches for many who lived downstream along the river’s edge.
In much the same manner, the heart of our little town lies in a valley, with hills and “mountains” on all sides. When we have a sudden heavy rain, Main Street and several side streets – along with the businesses that line them – are often waylaid with flood waters. In the past week, our community has received well over 5 inches of rainfall… and more rain is forecast for today and the next two or three days. So as we drove to church this morning, I noticed that several local downtown businesses had sandbags placed against their front doors and windows. The shop owners are doing everything in their power to reduce the impact of flash flooding… and praying that they have done enough!
This made me wonder…how often do we “sandbag” ourselves? Do we stop to think about the ramifications of a “flooding” quarrel or disagreement? Do we “speak now and worry about the consequences later”… or do we stop to temper our reactions and responses - much like the shop owners place sandbags at their store entrances? We all know that once the floodgates are opened even slightly, the damage can be significant. So why don’t we take a few minutes to consider all of the options… alternatives to starting World War Three… better ways to say what needs to be said to address an area of conflict?
God wants us to get along… and quite frankly, He will give us the tools for preventing the “drip” that can lead to a quarrel. Yes, God can also fix a “leak” once it has sprung… but we all know that repairing the damage after a flood is nowhere nearly as painless as preventing it in the first place! So let’s ask God to give us wisdom and common sense… and a hefty dose of diplomacy! Let’s call on Him to show us how to get along…to give us “sandbags” to guard our hearts and our tongues.
Let’s live in the joy of God’s peace as we discover ways to settle our differences without a deluge of discord and disagreement. The aftermath of a flood is never nice. Won’t you ask God to show you how and where to apply the “sandbags” in your daily living?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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