How to be Drip Resistant
Today’s Verse:
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. ~Proverbs 27:15
A few years ago, my wife and I had a shower head in our bathroom that was leaking. There was a continuous dripping of water that resulted in us accumulating as much as four or five buckets of water per day. We were so happy the day we fixed it ourselves and the dripping was stopped. Solomon is using the picture of water dripping from a house during a rainy day and making this analogous to a marriage where the wife is constantly arguing and debating with her husband. The sound of constant dripping eventually becomes annoying and causes the homeowner to lose sleep and be unable to concentrate. Perhaps you are on the receiving end of constant criticism, arguing, and contention. What do you do? This morning, let us see how we can be drip resistant to a continual dropping.
There is the analysis of a contentious relationship.
The first thing we must understand is that a contentious person is someone who is filled with much pride. “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom” (Proverbs 13:10). A proud person has a very large ego and personality. An overly inflated opinion of oneself makes this person very difficult to correct and make suggestions to. This type of person is also prone to find wrong with everyone else but himself. When contention arises, this person brings back past issues over and over again. He seems to be unable to put closure on the past and wants to remind you of something that you did wrong. This person’s goal is to prove that you are wrong and he is always right. The second thing we must understand is that a contentious person tends to drift into debate and arguing as a way of controlling a relationship. Remember that a person who is contentious is being held captive by a spiritual stronghold.
There is the ailment of a contentious relationship.
In every way, contention will wear away at you. You will despise being around that relationship. You will become gun-shy of saying or doing anything that could lead to more attacks. You will be annoyed. You will have restlessness in your soul. You will come to the place in life where you will look for a way of escape. A contentious relationship can morph you into a person who becomes critical, callous, and calculating. A contentious relationship can get the best of you and leave you in spiritual pieces. Your devotional and prayer life could suffer, and you could wind up becoming cynical and mean. Be careful of the poison that a contentious relationship can be to you.
There is the antidote for a contentious relationship.
There are three things that we must do in a contentious relationship. The first is to respond with agape love. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind... Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil... Beareth all things." The second thing we must do is overcome evil with good. Do not allow the wearing away from constant debating to overcome you. Make corrections to your life where needed. Then, let the contentious person know that you are thankful that he cared enough to let you know about what he saw in you. Third, be patient and pray for them which despitefully use you. Pray for their spirit to be changed. Pray that they see you as a friend and not a foe. Pray that the Lord will change their heart and help them to be kind and less critical.
Dripping water situations are not beyond fixable, but they do require the right tools and timing for fixing. If you have contentious people in your life, do not let them get the best of you. With God’s help, be more than a conqueror through Christ!
Have a drip-resistant God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 21-22
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