Take the Wood Out of the Fire

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 26

Gold Nugget

Verse 20: “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”

Commentary

My grandmother used to always say, “It takes two to tango”. Honestly, I didn’t really care for the statement. Usually when someone says, “It takes two to tango” it points the blame for a conflict on both parties. Who wants to hear that? What we really want is for the other party to accept responsibility and change. Now, for the sake of this devotion, let’s assume that you are not the one that needs to change. In this situation you are not doing anything wrong. Begin to fill this scenario out in your head. Who is it that needs to change? Are you truly innocent in the origin of this problem? Okay, maybe you are. You have done everything right and still there is this conflict. Often we find ourselves in situations with difficult people.

Someone I know recently got bombarded with horrible ungodly comments, insults and accusations from someone they know on facebook. He asked me what he should do. Of course the first thing I suggested was to ask this person to avoid posting ungodly things on his facebook. He did, but the guy actually ridiculed him for the request. After a few days another horrible and wicked comment was posted on my friend’s facebook from this same guy. Finally I suggested that he remove the guy from his friends list to prevent him from spreading his hatred on his profile page. Today’s “gold nugget” says, “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” There was a great deal of fiery strife from this hateful person, but my friend removed the wood from the fire. 

Prayer

Lord, help me to recognize when a relationship is only volatile and not constructive or healthy. With your guidance, I want to be able to know when to walk away and when to stick it out. Amen

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