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Day 143 Proverbs 17:1 Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. If you have ever lived in a family that bickers and complains all the time about every little thing, then you know how pleasant it is to have peace and quiet in anything you do. Solomon had to have that situation going on in his life. With 300 wives and 700 concubines, and the conspiracy going on in his family, as well as brothers killed either in battle or by his hand, strife was everywhere. You can feel the relief in this proverb just to have a moment of quiet. As Christians, you are to give kindness instead of grief. Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. When you do all you can to live peaceably with your family, friends, and neighbors, you will find peace following you where you go and you could change the way people respond around you. A little less strife in one’s life is always welcome. Confrontation will happen. It’s unavoidable. However, when it can be avoided, it’s best to do so. Jesus was a good example of how we are to deal with confrontation and strife. Instead of answering those who confronted him with accusations, he answered them with a question, causing them to rethink the situation. He also always pointed to God, his Father, in everything. Whether it was telling the people parables, healing the sick, or teaching them, his purpose was to bring the kingdom of God close to the people. How do you handle strife? Do you walk away from it, or do you find yourself answering in kind? Let’s pray: Father, help me avoid strife by living peaceably with my family as much as possible and walking away when it isn’t possible. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 29 January 2017 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay