Stop Before It's Your Nose That's Bleeding!

Daily Reading: Proverbs 30

Scripture Focus:  If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.  For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife. (Proverbs 30.32-33)

Devotional Thought: You've been there.  We all have.  There's a disagreement.  Emotions get involved.  Voices are raised.  Anger grows.  A relationship is severed.  Then comes regret.  "Why did I press that issue?" 

Agur, the author of this Proverb, helps us understand...

• If you have been foolish: What is it to be foolish?  It means lacking in wisdom.  In retrospect, how many times were your opinions - held tightly and cherished dearly - proven to be wrong?  Many disagreements are due to people pressing an issue that they think is right but is so very wrong!

• Exalting yourself: Prideful people delight in the destruction of others, in bringing others down to elevate themselves.  Humble people, however, will lift others up, promoting good will in a relationship.  It's hard for a proud person to admit they are wrong - even harder to not press when they are right.  Nobody wants to hear, "I told you so!"

• Devising evil: Harboring resentment for past wrongs, savoring sweet imaginations of revenge, the aggrieved person wishes ill-will on their "foe."   Getting even for past hurts overwhelms our senses and when the opportunity presents itself, we press the issue with caustic and hateful speech.

When we find ourselves at odds with another, what should we do?  Looking at the causes helps us understand...

• Seek wisdom and information.  Try to understand the issue at hand - especially from the other's point of view.

• Humble yourself.  Be willing to consider that maybe - just maybe - you may be wrong and your sister right. Apologize!

• Forgive from your heart.  Even if not asked!  And don't "lord it over" the one you have forgiven! 

Finally, do what Agur suggested - Put your hand on your mouth!  You might stop a nose bleed!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, if anyone ever had the right to press an issue, you certainly did.  Instead, you willingly took the penalty for my sin and forgave me from the cross.  Help me to have the same mindset as you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 17.13-15

13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.

15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.