It’s not cowardly to avoid strife (discord, controversy, conflict, quarrel or fight). In fact, this proverb says it’s honorable. It also shows me that jumping into a quarrel isn’t wise.
“It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Proverbs 20:3 NIV
And if I’d be tempted to get caught up in some drama of my own, this proverb reminds me that sometimes administering justice is not my job. In fact, I’m convinced it would be far more rewarding to wait for the Lord of heaven and earth to deliver me.
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong.’ Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.” 20:22
I can just see this guy looking for strawberries in his garden when he didn’t plant any. I used to have chickens, and it would’ve been ridiculous for me to look for eggs in the nests when I hadn’t taken care to keep my flock healthy. Better yet, imagine waiting for a paycheck in the mail when you hadn’t shown up for work for 6 weeks. Like my youth pastor said a long time ago (a very long time ago), “No workie, no eatie.”
“A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.” 20:4
by Kathy Sheldon Davis
kathysheldondavis.com 