Foolish Overreaction
Good Morning,
When driving, it is important that one act deliberately. Often, overreaction does more damage to one than the obstruction in the road, or the losing of traction on loose gravel or even ice. I grew up where there were many deer, and it was not unusual at all to have a deer run into the road right in front of your car. Some drivers have gone over a cliff, some ran into a tree, others hit the deer, and in each case a split decision had to be made. One thing is sure – overreacting is bad.
David heard of the death of a neighboring king. In sincerity and compassion, he did what he felt was an act of kindness. How do you comfort one in the loss of their father and king? What David did is not clear in Scripture, but he did send a group of men with a gift or words of encouragement.
2 Samuel 10:2 “Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.”
David acted sincerely and honorably, no matter what Hanun thought. The trouble was the wrong counselors. Do not doubt that Satan has many team members who sound good, and act good but are set to ruin good people with bad advice. It is likely that Hanun would not have reacted the same had it been his own decision. We are all influenced by those around us.
2 Samuel 10:3 “And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?”
vs. 4 “Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.”
A war followed, many people died, and international hurt and tension rose all because someone overreacted.
Consider other Bible stories with overreaction.
Was David after the throne? No, Saul overreacted. (1 Samuel 18:8)
Was the nation going to abandon Jeroboam and return to Rehoboam and Jerusalem? No, Jeroboam overreacted. (1 King 12:26-28)
In these and many other situations, we read of great hurt caused by an overreaction to situations yet to be understood and clearly defined.
It would be good if this were only a biblical issue, but I heard of a husband who felt television was a problem in his home. He came home and found the television on again and put his foot through it. He found himself near divorce. Some people will overreact when wrong is found on a computer, or when a child appears to have done wrong. I have seen pastors and staff resign, married people walk out on each other, fist fights begun, and many other sad situations occur that could have all turned out far better had people been slow to react.
This situation can include moms and dads, kids and friends, or teachers and parents in a school; all have the potential of overreacting.
Here are a few thoughts:
1. Do not act immediately. If dramatic action is needed, tomorrow will usually be soon enough.
2. Try to not think the worst. If the situation is serious, you can be angry on purpose later. In our courts a person is supposed to be assumed innocent until proven guilty; perhaps we could do that for each other.
3. Give the benefit of the doubt. At least try to consider that the action was intended to be right, even if it turned out to be wrong.
4. When you overreact, humble yourself and go back apologizing; try to make the situation right before irreparable damage is done.
James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Pastor