Compassion over Conflict
Based on Proverbs 16-18, 2 Corinthians 6
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Proverbs 16:32
Building off of the "Complain or Compliment" post, these few chapters really highlighted a similar importance of having compassion over stirring up conflict. It's always hard to restrain ourselves from making our anger tower of Babel any bigger, but we have to build relationships with others instead of building an argument & putting up a good fight. It looks even better than someone who is able to take a whole city!
"The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with."
Proverbs 17:14
Our angry tones may cause more of an explosion than we think! What an overflowing mess we make when we unleash the beast of anger that's just waiting for the perfect time with the perfect comeback! Compassion is key!
"Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."
Proverbs 17:28
Again, the value of silence, as was discussed previously, is also key! It could mean the preserving of a friendship!
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." Proverbs 18:8
Our conflicts may hurt people way deeper than we know...so we must show the compassion & love of God to them! We must love our enemies!
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
"Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:" 2 Corinthians 6:3
What kind of image are we putting out there? How are we making ourselves look? How are we making our God look? Are we being Christ-like, or conflict-driven? Let's pray for that self-control & restraint which chooses compassion over conflict in Jesus' Name!
written by
Gina Pietrzak
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