Stay Out of the Mud

Stay Out of the Mud
By Rick Warren

“Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going” (Proverbs 26:21 NCV).

Retaliation never works with EGRs (Extra Grace Required people). It tends to escalate whatever problem you’re encountering. Over the last few devotionals I’ve shared with you the first four steps in dealing with people who frustrate, annoy, and hassle you:

1.  Look at their behavior.

2.  Refuse to be offended.

3.  Cut them some slack.

4. Refuse to gossip about them.

You also need to refuse to play their game.

EGRs love to argue and debate. They use conflict to get your attention. When people try to get your attention through conflict, they’re just trying to hook you. They don’t really care what you think. They’re just trying to pull you into their game.

You see this all the time on the internet. Somebody makes an off-the-wall statement, and you go, “I’m going to set him straight!” And at that moment, the other person is going, “Got ’em! I just hooked a big one!” Every bone in your body wants to fire off a reply to that blog, that email, or that Facebook post.

Don’t do it! It’s a trap.

Somebody once said, “If you wrestle in the mud with a pig, both of you will get dirty, but only one of you will enjoy it.” Stay out of the mud. Don’t get sucked into the argument. Just walk on by.

Proverbs 26:21 says, “Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going” (NCV). EGRs love to keep the argument going. They find their meaning, their purpose, and their value by getting you upset. Don’t play their game. Don’t get drawn into it. They’re not looking for answers. They’re just looking for an argument.  

How many people does it take to argue? It takes two, right? If one of them walks away, what happens to the argument? It ends. The fire goes out. Sometimes the most merciful thing you can do is walk away from the argument.