Scripture: 1st Samuel 20:34 (the Message)
Jonathan stormed from the table, furiously angry, and ate nothing the rest of the day, upset for David and smarting under the humiliation from his father.
Thought for the Day: I like the way the Message presents this verse of scripture, earthy and real. The situation was complex, made even more thorny by the fact that jealousy and paranoia were involved. Have you ever taken a step back from a situation and said to yourself, “This should be easier to solve than it is. Why can’t we make it happen?” Most problems would have an easy solution if people were not involved. We complicate every situation because we are complicated. We carry a lot of baggage, are strangely governed by our unnamed fears, and we like to be right. When you face one of those complex situations, don’t become frustrated. Instead, seek to be compassionate. Taking the time to understand the people involved, hearing their fears and concerns, will often create a new environment where the solution can be found. It is never easy, but with God’s help, it is possible.
Prayer: When the relations are tricky and people’s emotions are entangled in the mess, give me the insight to glimpse your alternative solution, O Lord. Amen.
