The book of Proverbs is rich with wisdom and imagery. Sometimes, it's hard to retain everything because there is so much. But as I was reading Proverbs 17, one verse stood out to me.
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Proverbs 17:14
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and one good metaphor can be that picture. Can you see it? That 'just one twist' of the screwdriver which punctured a hole in the water tank? Water gushing out everywhere. Ek!
How many times have I decided to do just 'one thing?' Just one more snip while trimming my kid's hair. Just one thing I should say to so-and-so.
'Leave off' the Bible says before contention be meddled with. You don't need the last word. You don't need to fix just one more thing about this person. Why?
'The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water."
The more you meddle, the more likely the water will gush out.
Once that bag is ripped you can't put the water back inside. In vain, you'll try to staunch the flow, and even if you do manage to stop up the hole, there will be more water on the ground than what you'd intended.
Contention and strife are the same. It gets all out of hand, so don't even start. Don't meddle. Just walk away this year.
Comments