One Quick and Two Slows
I read a presentation from a military leader who said an asteroid hitting our planet could trigger a nuclear war. The general said twenty to thirty times a year a rock from space enters the atmosphere of the Earth and explodes, often releasing energy equal to that of an atomic bomb.
The general said the United States has satellite instruments that can quickly determine if the explosion was a nuclear weapon or an asteroid. He said other nations with nuclear capabilities probably do not have instruments as good as ours. If a situation developed where military forces were put on alert, an asteroid causing explosion could lead to war if a country reacted to an erroneous reading or misperception.
Nations as well as people struggle with misunderstandings, poor conflict resolution, and retaliation. A lot of friendships and families have broken down when someone struck back after a misguided comment or imagined attack. A joke, comment, a look or gesture can be perceived as a deliberate threat. We are most vulnerable to this kind of struggle when we are stressed out.
Read James 1:2-20. The book of James was written to Christians in the first century who had been displaced from their homes by persecution. James wrote to encourage them to persevere under the trials that tested their faith and even offered a warning in v 19-20: “My dear brothers, remember that everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” Did you notice the bold words in that sentence? 1 quick and 2 slows.
What recent misunderstanding (and response) has caused problems for you and others? How could following the “one quick and two slows” method have helped you in that situation?
When you are quick to listen, you try and hear what another person is actually trying to say. Being slow to speak gives you time to hear and process their words without initially concluding they said something to harm you. Being slow to become angry allows more time for a difficult situation to be resolved.
Live communally. When you are tired, under a deadline, fighting off pressure, and emotionally drained, ask God for the wisdom (James 1:5) and strength to avoid a fight or significant conflict. People matter to us because they are made in God’s image and they should be treated with dignity and respect. “One quick and two slows” can prevent the kind of conflict in which no one wins.
Love is a verb,
Mike
