Don't Let Insults Get You Into Trouble

Today I read 2 Samuel 16 where David is fleeing for his life from his son Absalom.  With David are many of his retainers and followers.  As they are traveling away from Jerusalem they are greeted by a man with provisions.  The man was sent by Mephibosheth, Saul's last remaining heir.  David receives the provisions and thanks the man and continues on his way.  He then comes across some villager who mocks David saying he is getting what he deserves because he stole the kingdom from Saul's line.  One of David's followers, Abishai, wants to kill the man for mocking David.  David stops him however.

I have never understood men, and women, who could not keep control over their emotions.  I mean to want to kill someone over an insult in words is ridiculous.  I can understand your emotions getting out of control when something truly momentous happens to you like a loved one is killed or a similar injustice is given by someone to your family, but to want to kill someone because he is mocking you with words?  How fragile does your self-esteem have to be that you cannot suffer someone saying things about you that you don't like?  It is a condition that plagues many people still today.  How many men get into fist fights because someone said something they don't like, or were called a coward?  As if someones words could alter the truth of what you are and what has happened.  Why do we care about what those we do not even like or associate with think about us? 

Now, I do think it is important as Latter-day Saints to keep a good image so that we are well thought of by others.  This is because people judge the entire church on one Latter-day Saint all the time.  It is not right but it happens.  So if you are the only Latter-day Saint they know, they will judge the entire church based on you and how you behave yourself.  But if someone misjudges you, it is still not a reason to fly off the handle and do something rash.  It's as bad as claiming to be offended and leaving the church.  I'm a firm believer that anyone who leaves the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does so because of sin.  There may be other factors in it too, but if you dig deep enough, it is always sin that the person feels guilty over because they can't shake it or don't want to, but sin is always there.  It is very sad and such people I think don't fully understand the Atonement.  At least that's my opinion.  Until tomorrow.