Patience when action is demanded.
Humor when rage bubbles over.
Love conquers more than pride.

There is no common sense of decency, or common sense in general, outside of community.

There once was a guy I knew who continually verbally abused his wife. Since we both worked at the same place I tried to help in any way I could to lighten his workload. I had hoped it would lessen his stress level and possibly improve things for his marriage. He was thankful, but then came the day when he began to say bad things about my wife since she also worked at the same place. I was angry and felt betrayed. Never has my wife done anything to deserve such treatment. And never would I, as a man, treat a woman in such a way. So I called him out on it and demanded that he apologize. What I had thought to be an open-and-shut case turned out to be grounds for war. Not only did he not apologize, he began to verbally attack and threaten me.

In my eyes, he showed himself to be a coward and a fool, but in his, he was somehow standing up for himself and his behavior. It quickly became apparent to me that he wanted to fight, and everything in me wanted to oblige him then and there, but something stopped me. The fact that I didn’t want to go to jail, and some small level of concern for the guy dominated over my temper. We argued for a bit then parted ways. After a while, I called to meet with him again to work the issue out. I asked God for guidance as the guy began to spread bad word about me to others at our workplace.

I tried to explain myself again to him, but again it failed to sink into his mind. To my knowledge, no one else stood up for his wife or against his treatment of women. I know I didn’t do things perfectly, but at least I tried. Still, years later, I wish I would have fought him back when I was healthy, but I still hope my attempt at mercy and grace showed him a better way.

I did find out he eventually got fired, though I’ve no knowledge if he ever learned to treat his wife any better.

I learned there is no common understanding between people by which we can hold each other accountable. Some are just mean no matter what. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Plus, I really have to be able to sleep.

Why am I writing this? People need to learn how to handle conflict better. There is a better way. I am not even close to perfect, but there is One who is. Look to Jesus. Leave your unfinished thoughts/desires unfinished. Jesus finished it all for us.

John 19:28-30