Pondering the Principles of Proverbs
ESCALATE: to increase rapidly. If an argument between you and your brother progresses from mean looks to a fist fight, you could say that the tension between the two of you escalated. To escalate is to intensify or increase quickly.
Pro. 17:14--The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
This particular concept--that of avoiding conflict--is of particular importance for a happy life. It is mentioned in the Bible many times. It was a part of one of our previous articles about the CAT.
This Proverb says that we are to quit a conflict before it even begins, because it will only escalate out of control--much like the breaching of a dam.
All it takes for a dam to break and to wreak havoc downstream is for one little crack to appear in the structure. It begins as a trickle, but soon escalates to a full-blown break, because the force of the water is so great. The dam breaks and the pent-up water forces itself through the opening, damaging all that is in its path.
The beginning of a conflict is much the same. A harsh word. An angry demand. A spiteful contradiction. The melodramatic thinking about an offense. Any of these will set the trickle and begin the flow that results in destruction.
Soon, it has escalated into a heated argument.
Name-calling; accusations, yelling, contradictions. And the point or cause of the argument is lost in the heat of long-stored passions bursting into flame. Feelings are hurt. Relationships damaged. Old wounds begin to fester. For what?
Why?
Only because neither party was big enough to walk away at the first sign of the negativity.
The recipe is simple. Quit before it starts.
Following the recipe is problematic, especially for anyone who believes that "being right" is more important than being happy.
All comments, questions, and/or criticisms are welcome. They will be posted immediately without the necessity of approval.
If you haven't already, sign up to have these studies FREELY delivered directly to your inbox. The link is just above the picture of the ugly guy who writes this stuff. Your e-mail address is safe with me, and will NEVER be given, sold, rented, or otherwise distributed to anyone else. Nor will I use it to solicit you by any other means. You will have the option to opt out of receiving the e-mails with each and every posting.
This particular concept--that of avoiding conflict--is of particular importance for a happy life. It is mentioned in the Bible many times. It was a part of one of our previous articles about the CAT.
This Proverb says that we are to quit a conflict before it even begins, because it will only escalate out of control--much like the breaching of a dam.
All it takes for a dam to break and to wreak havoc downstream is for one little crack to appear in the structure. It begins as a trickle, but soon escalates to a full-blown break, because the force of the water is so great. The dam breaks and the pent-up water forces itself through the opening, damaging all that is in its path.
The beginning of a conflict is much the same. A harsh word. An angry demand. A spiteful contradiction. The melodramatic thinking about an offense. Any of these will set the trickle and begin the flow that results in destruction.
Soon, it has escalated into a heated argument.
Name-calling; accusations, yelling, contradictions. And the point or cause of the argument is lost in the heat of long-stored passions bursting into flame. Feelings are hurt. Relationships damaged. Old wounds begin to fester. For what?
Why?
Only because neither party was big enough to walk away at the first sign of the negativity.
The recipe is simple. Quit before it starts.
Following the recipe is problematic, especially for anyone who believes that "being right" is more important than being happy.
All comments, questions, and/or criticisms are welcome. They will be posted immediately without the necessity of approval.
If you haven't already, sign up to have these studies FREELY delivered directly to your inbox. The link is just above the picture of the ugly guy who writes this stuff. Your e-mail address is safe with me, and will NEVER be given, sold, rented, or otherwise distributed to anyone else. Nor will I use it to solicit you by any other means. You will have the option to opt out of receiving the e-mails with each and every posting.
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