Walk away! Still a good ‘old fashioned’ and non-violent response to conflict

Editor: Those of us, who are not so young would remember that one example of the good advice given by the older folks in dealing with disagreements was “ignore or walk away to save confusion”. Sadly, many today find that this wise counsel is either outdated or not ‘man enough’. They feel that walking away from a potentially violent situation would make them less than a man or less than a woman.

Such warped and cowardice thinking has resulted in crimes of violence, even murder. And the result? Families are left to grieve and mourn. Lives are shortened.

Taxpayers’ money is wasted to feed hard-back criminals and the hearts of men are fully set on doing evil “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily” (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

Unfortunately, the evildoers sometimes receive undue comfort from sympathizers and society is branded as being unkind. However, the public must not be chided for expressing disgust and for calling for quick execution of justice. It means that we respect and value the God-given right to life. Not one iota of acceptance of violence should be promoted, no matter how emotionally tied you may be to the perpetrator. Understanding must not be given for the gruesome, premeditated taking of a life. Instead, we should encourage one another to respond responsibly and humanely to conflicts. “Ignore and walk away” is still a wise non-violent response. You would save yourself a tormented conscience, blood-guiltiness, a jail and society’s cries.

It is common knowledge that as we interact with each other from time to time, conflict may arise. At some point in time, each of us has been taunted or mocked. Sometimes, very nasty things are said to us and about us. We may even be slandered or defamed. The fact is, we can do very little or nothing to determine what another person says about us. But, what about our response? We can determine that! We can choose non-violence. We can choose to ignore, walk away or even seek redress where our reputation is slandered or defamed. Violence – assault, injury and murder is NEVER the answer. Neither emotional hurt, your chosen lack of self-control nor anger is a reasonable justification for taking a man’s life. Learn this: “He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty in spirit exalteth folly” (Proverbs 25:28; Proverbs 14:29).

Self-control is key and it is attainable with the restraining power of the grace of God. Seek the LORD while he may be found and get help in times of need to save you from all troubles and temptations.

Ann-Marie Ballantyne

svgpatriot@hotmail.com