Sir Winston Churchill is supposed to have said, “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”
We will face countless distractions in life. It can be difficult to stay on task and stay focused. It is especially challenging when the disturbances come from the people around us.
When someone “barks” at us, it is tough to show proper restraint and to keep from “barking” back at them. Sure, there will be a dog or two every now and then that must be dealt with in a bold and forthright manner, but more often than not, our strength will be seen in the self-control that we display.
If we want to be the best version of ourselves – if we want to be the people our God has created us to be – we will display self-control and just let the “dogs” keep right on barking until they wear themselves out!
Churchill’s remark points us to a couple of biblical concepts. On the one hand, we should respond to “barking” with words of grace and truth spoken in love. We should seek to overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17–21
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
On the other hand, we must be honest with ourselves about our own sins and shortcomings.
John 8:3–8
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground.
When the barking starts, what will we do? Drop everything and bark back? If so, we will never get where we want to go.
When the barking starts, will we immediately start searching for stones to throw, or will we start searching our hearts for ways to grow and reasons to repent?
