For nearly 16 years, we enjoyed the company of Zephyr, a beautiful yellow Labrador. When he joined us as a little puppy, our three children were all at home. For those years, he became every inch a member of the family. He was extraordinarily patient with us all, and if we accidentally knocked into him, he always took it in his stride. He had a wonderful temperament, but every now and again we were reminded that he was immensely strong and shouldn’t be messed with. You should have seen him fighting with a hedgehog! Wonderful and gracious as Zephyr was, he was a dog, and if someone were to yank him unkindly by the ears I think he could have done them a great deal of damage. I certainly wouldn’t have dared to do any such thing myself.

This might sound like rather mundane and obvious advice, but the writer of the Proverbs knew that all wisdom was of crucial importance. Interfering in other people’s arguments has wrecked many lives. Of course, it is a completely different matter if you are invited to give advice or support, but if you step into someone else’s argument without invitation, you are almost bound to fan the flames and make the situation worse.

Wisdom isn’t just something we need when making major life decisions. We need to exercise it day by day and, most of the time, in relatively small matters. Every choice we make can have implications which go on for a long time. All of this proves our need to be constantly listening to God and open to the voice of his Spirit. We serve a God who is keen to respond to our request for wisdom. As James wrote: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (James 1:5).

What will be the wisest course of action when you next come across someone having an argument?

Lord God, help me to be wise and thoughtful in my relationship with others today. Amen