Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
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Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418 |
| The Troublemakers |
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In almost every circle of society and company of friends you will find one person
who is a troublemaker. Thriving on contention and despising peace, that person is
ready to argue about every trifle. To the quarrelsome person, happiness is a fight.
What does the contentious person hope to accomplish? Does anyone really know? Is this some infantile way to attract attention? Or is it a strategy to remove the spotlight from one's imperfections while focusing it upon the defects of another? Perhaps it is a ploy through which one seeks power. Whatever the reason, discord is sown, that vice so vividly described by John Wolcott: "Discord, a sleepless hag who never dies, With Snipe-like nose, and Ferret-glowing eyes, Lean sallow cheeks, long chin with beard supplied, Poor crackling joints, and wither'd parchment hide, As if old Drums, worn out with martial din, Had clubb'd their yellow Heads to form her Skin." My friend, what right does the troublemaker have to paint everything black? Why should their ill-temper and malevolent spirit permit them to be a social incendiary? Should they not be arrested for disturbing the peace? For those who desire to put the contentious person in their place, Solomon has two suggestions: 1. Keep Aloof-strife will die out if it is not supplied with fresh fuel. Neither a fire nor a quarrel can continue without being fed. Even the most contentious person soon tires of a one-sided war. As Seneca said, "A quarrel is quickly settled when deserted by one party: there is no battle unless there be two." It is no disgrace to side-step the person with a head full of quarrels. After all, if you were climbing a mountain and a great rock started rolling toward you common sense would dictate that you step aside. Solomon says, "It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife." (Proverbs 20:3) 2. Get rid of the trouble maker-the wise man advises, "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease." (Proverbs 22:10) Any group is better off minus the despicable spirit and pernicious influence of the quarrelsome person. For in that person's absence, peace will prevail. I guess a hornet's nest is fine…if you happen to be a hornet. But as a person, I prefer peace. Don't you? Dear friend, if you would like to read more about how to develop this peace, I'd be happy to send you a FREE booklet entitled "Apples of Gold." Just send your request to A BETTER LIFE, P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. If you prefer, you can telephone me on: (08) 9841 8418. Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au |
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