Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one
who is patient calms a quarrel.
Anger strikes the fire which sets cities and churches
into a flame: A wrathful man, with his peevish passionate reflections, stirs up
strife, and sets people together by the ears; he gives occasion to others to
quarrel, and takes the occasion that others give, though ever so trifling. When
men carry their resentments too far, one quarrel still produces another.
Meekness the great peace-maker: He that is slow to anger not only prevents
strife, that it be not kindled, but appeases it if it be already kindled,
brings water to the flame, unites those again that have fallen out, and by
gentle methods brings them to mutual concessions for peace-sake. [Matthew
Henry]
A young rabbi found a serious problem in his new
congregation. During the Friday service, half the congregation stood for the
prayers and half remained seated, and each side shouted at the other, insisting
that theirs was the true tradition. Nothing the rabbi said or did helped solve
the impasse. Finally, in desperation, the young rabbi sought out the
synagogue's 99-year-old founder.
He met the old rabbi in the nursing home and poured out
his troubles. "So tell me," he pleaded, "was it the tradition
for the congregation to stand during the prayers?"
"No," answered the old rabbi.
"Ah," responded the younger man, "then it
was the tradition to sit during the prayers."
"No," answered the old rabbi.
"Well," the young rabbi responded, "what
we have is complete chaos! Half the people stand and shout and the other half
sit and scream."
"Ah," said the old rabbi, "that was the
tradition." [As retold by P. J.
Alindogan, The Potter's Jar blog, "Communicate and Relate" (9-4-11)]
Habits become ingrained in our lives. Some are good for
us, while others are hurtful. Some habits should learn to be tolerated for they
don’t make much difference one way or another. Learn to examine the habits and
choices in your life to ensure you are not one that stirs up conflict, but
instead brings calm in the middle of a quarrel.
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