offenses to rest

When you argue with someone, or see others arguing - what is usually the one thing that just fires both people up?

Oftentimes it's because someone says something they probably shouldn't. Sometimes we just let our feelings get too hurt and then we usually say something stupid. We let a few words trigger emotion that we often can't control.

How do you react when someone rises against you? Fight back? Curse them? Let it go?

If a ruler's anger rises against you,
do not leave your post;
calmness can lay great offenses to rest.

(Ecclesiastes 10:4)

My encouragement for you is to stand your ground with calmness. If your boss gets on your about something at work, take that discipline and accept what your boss is telling you. If a friend upsets you, or a family member, just stay calm.

I've been on both sides of the emotional reaction.

One side being me not staying calm. Whenever I don't stay calm - I don't like the version of myself and it usually makes things worse before it gets better.

The other side, I stay calm. Sure it's hard in the moment, but you feel better about yourself and the entire situation seems to be resolved.

Honestly, this post isn't one of my best. I feel like I was all over the place with my words. So I apologize if it wasn't very good. My hope for you and the goal with this post I wrote this morning is that you all remain calm when someone tries to tear you down. It's not going to be easy, but it's going to be worth it.

When I think about what I just wrote it reminds me of the movie World War Z with Brad Pitt. The secret to fighting off the zombies wasn't fighting back. What saved and protected the people was their calmness.

Calmness is something that is attractive and can be very encouraging to more people than you could ever imagine.