A fool shows his irritation immediately, but a prudent person overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16, TLV
Are You Rolling in the Mud? Chag Semeach [Happy Holiday], dear friends! As we celebrate the atoning work of our Messiah, may you abide in the peace of His redemption. Blessings to you and your yours during this Holy time of Yom Kippur.
This proverb is great! It reminds me of two other sayings:
- Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
- Choose your battles wisely.
Both essentially speak of not making a disagreement or offense or mistake or insult into a battle-worthy event. Taking our irritation and energizing our emotions into a ball of anger generally reaps a poor harvest.
Wrestling in the Mud
As I was researching for this blog, I came across an old American folk saying. It made me smile because it gave me a vivid picture of the foolishness of turning an insult into a battle:
Never wrestle with a hog. The hog gets dirty. You get dirty. But the hog enjoys it.
The hog reminded me of the enemy of our soul. He wants to rob, steal, and destroy us (John 10:1). He wants to distract us from unity and our purpose in this life. He enjoys it. The dirtier we get, the happier he is.
Can you feel that? What that might look like? Have you ever been in a defensive argument? Defending our position, actions, and reputation? At some point did you feel like you were acting like the very thing you were accused of? Sometimes, when I’m in a no-win battle, I feel slimy. Even when I think I’ve “won” I don’t feel good about it.
Discernment Muscle
Overlooking these insults and irritations takes practice. Exercising our discernment muscle is key. Being aware how our body reacts to the ensuing argument. Assessing the fruits of the battle.
Not every offense against us is worthy of our time or energy.
This means we need to pause and pray. Use self-control. Just because we’ve been invited, it doesn’t mean we have to attend a battle.
And even if we feel we need to engage in a discussion or argument, we still have to use self-control and grace. Or we’ll get just as “muddy” rolling around as we would in a useless argument. Make sense?
Think More About It
Have you ever “rolled in the mud” over an argument or offense? How did it feel before? After?
Until tomorrow, may we be prayerfully discerning when offenses and insults come, my friends.
Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Miriam, and the brother of Jacob and Joseph and Judah and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. Mark 6:3, TLV
There has always been plenty of accusations and offense toward Israel—since October 7th it has only escaladed. Yeshua knew that offense and received the ultimate litany of accusations. But He was careful when and if He responded. Learning when to respond and if we are to respond is part of our spiritual discernment. How about today we agree for Israel, the Jewish people, and us to learn how to strengthen that discernment muscle? Yes? Chag Semeach and Shabbat Shalom!
