We Had Some bad fussing in the family home. Unfortunately it was all about me, Which was embarrassing, naturally. We are all brothers and sisters, so we decided to read Proverbs 27, so as to get some guidance.
One person quoted verse 12 and said the best thing to do when hurtful things are being said is just to walk away: A prudent man foreseeth the evil, I and hideth himself Another said that was not the answer, and quoted verse 8:
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. Walking away from anger, she said, just makes matters worse. A third referred us to verse 22 and suggested staying put but saying nothing, since keeping up a fierce argument is useless and settles nothing: Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
I butted in to suggest that we women are usually most to blame for fussing (verse 15): A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike, and also that some form of envy is usually the problem (verse 4): Who is able to stand before envy? Finally, we had to admit that vexatious fussing is not only needlessly cruel but also outrageous folly (verses 3,4).
What do you think should be done when fussing breaks out in a godly household? We refer to fussing about really important things here, not trifles. Yes, those things that send the blood pressure way up. What’s the best line? A cold shoulder? Walk off? Just ignore everything and everybody and smile sweetly? Freeze into icy silence? Laugh it off’? Try and win the argument?
I don’t think we did very well at our end. There’s got to be a better way. Please, any ideas?
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One