No peace when dealing with a fool

Recently I was the recipient of a rather venomous attack of words via e-mail. This person railed and railed about their illogical non-factual perception of the matter before us. It was a vicious, personal attack and mean-spirited. My flesh urged me to engage in war and rise to the occasion and respond in like manner. I have however, made great progress in this regard through the years. I responded by asking them politely to never contact me again and ended with a thank you. Proverbs states that “a gentle tongue breaks a bone” and that “where there is no wood the fire goes out”. I have not heard anything since my short reply and am cautiously optimistic that the fire is indeed out, (as far as I am concerned anyhow).

Anytime someone sticks his head above the clover such as leading a company, teaching a class, or even writing a daily devotional, there is risk that someone will try to blow it off. I have received more than my fair share of these attacks through the years and have been like a lightening rod to many people, (or more apt perhaps, a psycho magnet). I have learned from previously engaging in numerous battles with this type of person that it is just a complete waste of time. If I respond with truth and logic, I just get a longer e-mail only more venomous, distorted, and illogical than the previous.

Much to my chagrin I have never had a mentor in my life, but early in my working career I did have a boss tell me something that I still consider to be valuable advice. He told me that when you get mad, you should sit down and write that person a nasty letter and tell them “everything” that you want to tell them. He then looked at me over his reading glasses with a wry grin on his face and stated, “And then, you should tear it up”. I can tell you that every time I have followed that advice I was glad that I just tore it up. When I could not resist going ahead and sending it, I “always” regretted it.

As I have grown old, I have modified that philosophy a tad. Now I do not even write the letter. I just ignore it and move on and do not even waste the time or emotion on it. Fortunately I have the innate ability to quickly put it out of my mind and move on to something more pleasant and rational.

One thing certain I cannot change a person who acts like a fool. Read what King Solomon had to say about it 2000 years ago.

Proverbs 29:11,9 26:11
A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them
back.

If a wise man contends with a
foolish man,
Whether the fool rages or
laughs, there is no peace.

As a dog returns to his own
vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.