Davidisms - The More You Stir Manure, the More It Stinks

If something happens, and it’s not the outcome you’d hoped for, what do you do? Accept the outcome and move on? Or, do you agitate the situation by readdressing it? Repeatedly. Again. And again. Next time you’re tempted to revisit a conflict or difficulty, a hurt or an offense, consider this: The more you stir manure, the more it stinks. It’s something my dad used to say to me over and over again. Because the longer you continue addressing the problem, the larger the problem grows. And grows. And goes on. And on and on. With no end in sight. And, indeed, starts to “stink” more and more. So what then should you do? If at all possible, step over the offense. Let the problem go. Keep your mouth shut. Don’t gossip or slander (James 4:11). Operate in love (Prov. 10:12). Give God time to work and solve the issue. Let the problem die down. Because the more you stir manure, the more it stinks.