“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”– James 1:19–21
The story goes that in a small English village many years ago, a young man was told that he had been insulted by someone he thought was a friend. He rushed out indignantly, planning to demand an apology or have a fight. An elderly man sitting nearby stopped him and asked what his rush was. When the young man explained his purpose, the older man offered him some wise counsel. “My dear boy, take a word of advice from an old man who loves peace. An insult is like mud; it will brush off much better when it is dry. Wait a little, till he and you are both cool, and the thing will be easily mended. If you go now it will only be to quarrel.” The angry young man listened, and waited rather than confronting the one who had offended him, and soon the friend who had given the insult came and asked forgiveness.
While there may be times when we need to make sure our testimony is not damaged by false accusations, we do not have to fly off the handle and try to insist on speaking our minds immediately. It is far better to wait until we know for sure exactly what happened or what was said, for many times the early reports are not correct in some or even all of their details. And it is better to wait until our temper has cooled before confronting someone who has offended us. This is not to say that we should nurse a grudge, but the passage of a few hours or days may make dealing with a conflict much easier. Patience and carefully planned responses have guarded many relationships from being badly damaged. ( Daily in the Word)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
