Of Fiery Arrows and Battle Strategies

This particular storm was my test...i know it i feel it. The nagging feeling that tells me 'no, you weren't suppossed to respond like that'. I asked the question 'how come I was unguarded like that, usually im good at spotting suspect situations, words and ready for the onslaught of tangled and twisted emotions...

BUT this time hmm mmh this time I failed the test. Instead of dodging the fiery arrows, I let them hit and wound me, then tried frantically to take them out of the places that were numb from the pain. Needless to say I lost a lot more blood than I would have if I would have just staggered to the chief Physician who could effectively take out the arrows and tell me how to treat my wounds and avoid anymore.

BUT this time hmm mhh this time I failed the test. I tried to self-medicate, thinking that my words and actions would calm not inflame the situation. Thinking that I knew the remedy for healing...

When the blood loss was too much for me to handle and the pain was rising I confided in someone who prayed me up and encouraged me. She told me that no matter WHO is throwing the fiery darts my responsibility is not to try and talk them out of it but to RUN in the direction of my refuge and shelter! She said RUNNING is not a sign of weakness but of strength, it shows that you have discernment to stop the battle before it has even had a chance to begin. You disarm your opponent by understanding that words used out of season are as dangerous as nuclear bombs. So trying to talk someone down when they are angry and fustrated is not necessarily the battle plan... PRAYER as usual is what will help with the wounds that i sustain by the arrows launched.

So I'm asking for more grace once again...next time I'll be running to my refuge and shelter. In fact I think I may just stay in this shelter and see if I can get some tuff training on how to detect fiery-arrow-launching-person-and-their-tactics a mile off.

In Christianity it seems roles are reversed, things are topsy turvy. Running becomes a sign of strength, retreat becomes a wise battle strategy, a soft answer turns away anger and fiery-arrow situations become just another opportunity to see the GRACE OF GOD in action. So I'm willing to go by these role reversals even when it rubs against my survival instincts.

Hmm Yesterday I got wounded in a serious fiery-arrow situation... but now when i think about it- I think I'm beginning to heal up very nicely. Thank you, Jesus!