Daily Jewel

by pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Aug. 4, 2011

“Putting Out Fires”

“Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight…." – Proverbs 3:30 (MSG)

Living in dry arid areas the dangers of wildfires starting and spreading is something that homeowners must always be prepared for. Our recent hot spell has increased the fire danger to dangerously high levels. This past spring we faced fire dangers daily and smoke could be seen from practically every direction. Those living in Los Angeles face this danger on a yearly basis. Many of us remember the fires that spread through Oklahoma City a couple of years ago causing hundreds of homes to go up in flames. Although some fires are the result of lightning strikes most are the result of the carelessness of people who just don’t think before they act. The Bible reminds us that our words and actions can have the same effect which truly puts quite a premium on what we do. Here is a good example of what I mean: I have an acquaintance that no matter what the conversation is – will invariably take the opposite side, just to stir up people’s emotions. Most of us who know him have learned that is just his personality, but to those who do not know him, if they are short-tempered could be in for an immediate conflict. I am certain we all know individuals like this—or maybe it may be you. I have often wondered what causes a person to want to stir up trouble. If things were going well, wouldn’t it stand to reason to leave them that way? In the movie based on the events of the attack on Pearl Harbor, “Tora, Tora, Tora,” there is one line that is the definitive statement that underscores this. At the end of attack (and the movie), the Japanese are celebrating their great “victory.” When asked what he thought of it, the commander of the Japanese Naval forces said, and if I misquote this please forgive me: “I fear all we have done is to have awakened a sleeping giant and provide him with great resolve.” Don’t we have enough conflict in our lives than to always be carrying more? There are those who are harboring resentments that took place 10, 20, 30 years ago or more! What good does that do? It does not change the fact that those events happened so why do we allow that conflict to remain? Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) In this, Jesus is reminding us that the only thing that truly matters in life is our relationships! Possessions can be gone in a minute! So why not try to have as many meaningful relationships as possible? The next time someone tries to stir up trouble—perhaps there are a couple of “positive” approaches that you can take: First, attempt to change the conversation! Pick a different subject or take the focus off of the person or persons being discussed. If that approach does not work the next option you have is simply to leave. Do not allow yourself to be further sucked into a vacuum of hate or character assassination. The question that needs to be asked is, “why add more fuel to the fire?” There is probably already enough there to last for a life time – so maybe it is time to put the fire out.
Pastor J. T. Carnell