The Tale of Two Stories
April 30
Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
Proverbs 26:17
“How do you know if you should or shouldn't intervene in someone else’s affairs?” Brennan asked.
“God used two events to teach me this lesson," Dillon laughed… the memory of the first event as clear as the day it happened. "I lived beside three brothers. Their cousins lived up the street. One afternoon one of the cousins made a derogatory remark to one of the brothers…it led to blows. As everyone else stood by, letting them pound on each other, I decided to step between them and break up the fight. They kept swinging at each other, and I took a major beating. They, on the other hand, had relieved their frustration and were content to let bygones be bygones.”
“The other occasion was something much different.” Dillon’s face turned serious… “I was sitting beside a couple in a restaurant, when all of a sudden the man began cussing at his wife and drew back his fist, meaning to hit her. I instinctively reached out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him mid-swing.”
A light came on in Brennan’s eyes as Dillon continued, “Holding his wrist, I quietly explained that men do not hit women…nor disrespect them in such a manner. Suffice it to say, he didn’t share my philosophy. I later learned that he had done this before and no one had ever confronted him. I guess he must have figured that if no one was going to stop him he would continue using fear and abuse to control his wife.”
†
It is ingrained in men to ‘save the day’. God created us to protect the weak and those less-able. Yet, it is foolish to assume that every quarrel requires our personal intervention or involvement.
In one of today’s examples there is no question as to whether intervention was advisable. In the other it appeared to be the right thing to do, and resulted in an unnecessary beating.
When faced with this dilemma, godly wisdom is required to achieve a beneficial outcome. So, whenever it’s possible, don’t assume that your action is required. Inquire of the Lord before taking action.
Prayer
“Lord, in times like these, give me the wisdom to know whether to walk away or take action. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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