Pr. 15:18: “A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.”
I know someone just came to your mind when you read that. We find it all too easy to identify those around us who are wrathful and stir up strife. Maybe you are that person.
Ok, let’s get real personal for a minute. How are you about allaying contention? Allaying contention means that you diminish, put to rest, relieve, or alleviate disagreements and conflicts. So, do you try to put conflicts to rest or are you actually contributing to the stirring up of the strife? Really think about it.
And perhaps you aren’t actively contributing to the point that others realize it, but are you stirring up the strife within yourself? Are you dwelling on it? Do you continue to think about it every time that person comes around or their name is mentioned?
One more question: if someone who has hurt you needs prayer will you pray for them?
I’m going to continue this in part two and three, and four but for today, just ask yourself those questions and think on it. Perhaps you’re not allaying contention the way you thought you were. Perhaps you’re stirring up strife, after all. I’m not sure. That’s for you to figure out.
Until tomorrow…
jamie
considering the word 