I learned a long time ago that some battles are better left for another day, another time. Some things are best left unsaid, even if they are true. Truth can do irreparable harm to a relationship especially when the truth is unkind or unworthy of report. Women can get all caught up and emotionally involved with something that's not worth the fight. Sometimes it just doesn't matter if the rules are stretched to the outer limits, as long as we keep our sanity. Women tend to be as quick to compromise in areas which make little difference (if it preserves or restores a relationship), as we are to jump to conclusions that cause friction and fissures.
God convicted me of this truth today as I wrote a post for SBC Today and put the finishing touches on: "War on Women, What's a Woman to Do?" It speaks to the issue of older women mentoring younger women. As I wrote the post, I thought about my own life and how flawed I am. What kind of mentor would I be in a crunch time?
Just last week I made a comment on Twitter only to have some stranger respond and ask if "they let people without brains"-- like me-- "vote". I shouldn't have responded (but I did), with "you betcha". Suddenly another lady jumps in and calls me "brainless". That was when I decided it was time to be slower to speak. Twitter wars are merciless. Snarks and sarcasm abound. The second lady bowed out after making and deleting a goofy irrelevant statement about how I spelled a word I hadn't even written. Even though the first lady was still being snippy, I defused further angst by complimenting her on what she called her "claim to fame". We parted ways with her saying thanks for my wish for her added success.
I decided from that tweet conversation that I needed to be a lot "slower to speak". I'm too flippant and impulsive for my own good sometimes. I'm practicing though. I was caught off guard with that little 140-character discussion. Big mistake on my part. What kind of example am I? No matter how snippy, snarly and antagonizing another is, there's no excuse for me being the same way. Not a bad hair day, nor bad people day excuses rude behavior on my part. I'm not to see myself as better than anyone else. If I tend to my flaws more than I tend to the flaws in others, spiritual growth quickly follows.
God's Spirit convinced me of this--though at times it slips my mind. I know better than to respond to people the same way they talk to me. This is why "the whole armor of God" is necessary before we begin our daily walk. We need to pray, pray and pray some more. We need to feed our minds with God's word and be ever mindful of the snares Satan sets before us. Our pride can do major damage when we fail to pick our battles as we go off to war each day. Who would look to me for an example if my example leads them into battles they do not need to fight? I think you know the answer to that one.
Prayer: Lord, give me insight into my own weaknesses and keep me from temptation when I encounter people You place in my path. Give me Your eyes to see and Your words to speak that I may bring glory to You. selahV
