July 29, 2010

"Desperate times call for desperate measures"...or so the saying goes. But are you actually in a desperate time? The Ephraimites thought they were being completely overlooked, and they considered Jephthah's dismissal of their help as the ultimate rejection. They freaked out. I think they overreacted. But, then again, I was not there.

Many times in our lives, when we are faced with a certain dilemma that we see as life-altering, we are prone to overreact. I can think of relational miscommunications and hurt feelings, broken promises and shattered dreams, and perfect moments gone south quickly and great moments evaporated. At the time, the moment meant everything to me, and it felt like my very life hinged on the outcome. But as the days, months, and years pass, I realize that the life-altering moment was not so life-altering, and it turns out that, although my life may not be better, it, more than likely, was not ruined either.

The Ephraimites overreacted. Jephthah did not do much better. He was fed up with the men of Ephraim not listening and not helping. The Ephraimites made a big deal about a miscommunication. Whenever I am in a tight situation, I hardly ever step back to sink my feet into the other person's shoes. What might have happened if the Ephraimites had done that? Would God have had mercy on who would be their next judge? Would thousands of men have been saved from needless anger that would emerge into war? What are you forgetting to put in perspective that could lead you down a very costly path?

1. What gets you the most upset and why?
2. What can you do to harness your anger and put it into perspective?