peace Archives - Page 2 of 10

Butt Heads with Someone

August 26, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

When we butt heads with someone, we cause and receive pain. No fun.

Literally, to butt heads means to hit heads together.

We often see this when animals lock horns. They fight to determine who will lead their group.

Figuratively, to butt heads means to strongly disagree or have an intense argument.

This causes problems in any relationship:

Families
Friends
Neighbors
Political parties
Social organizations

The tactics in such arguments aim to hurt rather than heal.

Name calling
Disrespect
Physical or verbal fights

Rather than butt heads, we need to learn to get along.

We can disagree in an agreeable way. If we explain our differences in a calm, respectful manner, everyone wins. Two heads are better than one applies even when the two heads disagree.

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion and to Megan Wollman for the photo.

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Down the Road

July 8, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

When I was a child, several relatives lived down the road from us. My sister and I often walked to their houses to play with our cousins.

We also spent time wondering what God had down the road for our futures. Where would we live? What would we do?

Down the road has two meanings.

On the same road or nearby
In the future

This post will focus on the second meaning.

It pays to plan for what lies down the road.

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” That quote or similar ones have been credited to Benjamin Franklin, Reverend H. K. Williams, and others. Yet, the source remains uncertain. Regardless of who first said it, the truth endures.

We face an uncertain future.

Although we want to plan, life offers no guarantees. Therefore, we prepare for our goals. Yet, we also prepare for life’s unknowns.

God remains with us both now and down the road.

In spite of life’s uncertainties, we can always count on God’s peace and presence. Whether our plans work out or go down the drain, God promises never to leave us alone. All we have to do is follow Him in faith.

As we travel down life’s road, may we never stray from the straight and narrow.

“Mixed motives twist life into tangles; pure motives take you straight down the road” (Proverbs 21:8 MSG).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion and the photo.

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At Loggerheads

July 1, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 7 comments

At loggerheads has nothing to do with loggerhead turtles. Although we might enjoy finding the so-ugly-they-are-cute turtles, they give no insight into the idiom. Unless they fight.

At loggerheads means in conflict.

We disagree or argue and fail to resolve the problem. Probably one of the best-known examples of conflict between families is the Hatfield and McCoy feud.

Usually no one wins when at loggerheads.

As with the Hatfields and McCoys, strong disagreement often causes great suffering on both sides including violence or death.

In addition to families, quarrels or disputes occur among:

Friends
Co-workers
Countries
Organizations

The Free Dictionary gives two possible origins for the expression.

“A ‘logger’ is a 16th-century term for a block of wood, so a ‘loggerhead’ is a blockhead or fool.”
Loggerhead is also a late 1600s term for “a long-handled iron poker with a bulb-shaped end that was heated in the fire and used to melt pitch.” This “may have been alluded to as a weapon.”

Rather than remain at loggerheads, let’s seek solutions.

Compromise when possible.
Agree with the other person when we realize we are wrong.
Stand firm when necessary.
Follow Jesus’ example of self-giving love.

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs” (Proverbs 10:12 NIV).

Thanks to Sarah Burns Hampshire for the suggestion. Photo by Amy Farías with Pexels.

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Keep Your Hair On

June 10, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 14 comments

Have you ever been in a windstorm where you felt like your hair was lifting off your head? If you wear a wig, the results can be disastrous and hilarious. You want to keep your hair on. Therefore, you hope the wind calms so your hair can do the same.

To keep your hair on means to stay calm.

People say this if you are:

Angry
Upset
Impatient
Fit to be tied

They often say it as an order. They want you to get a grip.

You hear this expression primarily in the UK.

An American equivalent is to keep your shirt on. Both expressions caution you to regain control.

Keeping your hair on helps you be your best self.

Remaining calm and patient leads to a better:

Attitude
Blood pressure
Relationship with others

I pray you stay settled and at peace.

“I have calmed and quieted myself” (Psalm 131:2 NIV).

Thanks to Victor S E Moubarak for the suggestion. Image by Petra from Pixabay.

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Hang On to Your Hat

June 3, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 14 comments

Recent storms brought windy weather. As a result, you needed to hang on to your hat. You also needed to hang on to everything else around you.

To hang on to your hat means to prepare yourself.

Something is about to happen, and you want to get ready. Often, the event is unexpected and shocking. It may affect:

Individuals
Small groups
Large numbers of people

A similar expression tells you to hold on to your hat.

Life is full of surprises.

It frequently throws you for a loop with both pleasant and unpleasant changes. Like roller coaster rides, its twists and turns can thrill or terrify. Changes occur in:

Relationships
Employment
Weather
Health
World events

When life storms or trials occur, you may find it hard to hang on to your faith.

Change throws you off balance. You struggle to understand. Yet, God uses every experience, good and bad, expected and unexpected, to help you grow.

Hang on to your hat and see where God leads.

Through even the hardest times, you may be pleasantly surprised.

“‘Where is your faith’ he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him’” (Luke 8:25 NIV).

Thanks to Judy Corbin for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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Hit the Roof

May 27, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

People rarely hit the roof physically. However, they frequently hit the roof emotionally.

To hit the roof means to become extremely angry or upset.

According to The Idioms, the expression refers to “being so enraged that you could actually bang your head on the roof (or ceiling) … because you feel like exploding.” Similar expressions include:

People lose their temper.

Reasons people hit the roof vary.

For example, they get angry when they:

Fail to get their way
See rules broken
Experience loss or injury
Discover betrayal

Hit the roof also refers to sharp price increases.

Goods and services grow more expensive.
Stocks rise.

If people invest money, they enjoy those increases. If they make purchases, they want the costs to remain low.

It pays to invest emotions and finances wisely.

Maintain control and do what’s right. Spend time and money productively.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31 NIV).

Thanks to Lindy Pierce for the suggestion. Image by wendy CORNIQUET from Pixabay.

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Dirt-poor

May 13, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

Although I did not know it, our family was close to dirt-poor during my early childhood. In addition to our share of my grandparents’ farm, Dad bought surrounding farmland.

Dirt-poor means extremely poor.

Since we had the basics for survival, we were not extremely poor. However, we had little cash and few luxuries.

Yet, who needed luxuries? The farm provided:

Woods and fields to explore
A large yard for play
Animals, a garden, and an orchard for food and milk

We also enjoyed lots of books (We were book poor too!), games, and family time.

Our financial resources grew over the years, but I would take nothing for those early lean years.

Rather than dirt poor, many families today are house poor.

They may not have much land, but they buy large houses with large mortgages to match. Like our young family, that leaves them little extra money.

Evidence fails to support a popular internet story that dirt poor relates to dirt floors.

Although it makes an interesting story, it offers no proof.

Financial wealth holds no eternal importance.

If all we do is hoard our money, it does no good. Remember, you can’t take it with you when you die.

Whether poor as a church mouse or filthy rich, let’s use the resources we have to make our world a better place.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” (Psalm 82:3 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser for the suggestion.

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Snail’s Pace

April 29, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

A friend recently told me she has slowed to a snail’s pace after a major health episode. However, she has not given up. She keeps on keeping on.

A snail’s pace means a slow speed.

If we watch a snail, we understand the connection. It moves so slowly it almost looks like it stands still. However, that snail does move. If we watch it on a plant, we see that it likes to eat as it goes.

Life often moves at a snail’s pace.

Like my friend, health issues make us slow down. Life also feels like it crawls when:

Work takes longer than we like.
Study requires long, difficult hours.
Favorite activities are delayed.

A slower pace allows time to enjoy the moment.

We frequently move so fast, we forget to relish life’s simple pleasures. Instead of constant motion, why not:

Watch the snails, butterflies, and other sights in nature.
Take deep breaths and look around at all God gives.
Stop and listen to family and friends.
Learn to relax.

Sometimes we need to adjust our pace for the benefit of others.

Small children or the elderly may need more time. We want to match our movement to theirs. Whether fast or slow, let’s help others enjoy their moments too.

We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children” (Genesis 33:14 NIV).

Thanks to E. Pearl Anderson for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pexels.

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Kiss of Death

March 25, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

A kiss of death means something that causes failure or ruin.

It may be:

Actions. Poor attitudes or behaviors often result in the loss of jobs, friendships, or other positions.
Relationships. Associating with troublemakers frequently leaves people in trouble.
Events. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can destroy plans.
Poor timing. Failures frequently occur because people begin too early or too late to accomplish their purposes.

A kiss of death may look good but result in great harm.

Damage often occurs even if intentions appear helpful. A handshake or endorsement from the wrong people kills countless business deals and reputations.

This expression relates to Judas Iscariot’s kiss that betrayed Jesus.

When religious leaders wanted to rid themselves of Jesus, they enlisted Judas, one of Jesus’ followers, for help. Matthew 26:48-49 records it. “The betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him” (NIV). A kiss of death has also been called a Judas kiss.

Not every kiss of death ends in permanent harm.

Although Jesus died on the cross, He arose from the dead on the third day. His death and resurrection conquered sin and death. All who place their faith in Jesus also receive victory over sin and death. That’s the message of Easter. Jesus offers everyone a fresh start, a new beginning.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6 NIV).

Thanks to Terrie Wilson for the suggestion. Photo by Francesco Alberti on Unsplash

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A Hard Pill to Swallow

March 18, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Calcium can be a hard pill to swallow. A relative and a good friend found the task almost impossible. The relative now takes calcium in a different form. My friend required surgery when a pill became stuck.

A hard pill to swallow means an unpleasant reality.

We don’t like it, but we can’t avoid it. It is what it is. Although hard to deal with, we have no choice.

We often face circumstances that are a hard pill to swallow.

Loss of a job or failure to get a job
A relationship breakup
Financial ruin
A life-threatening diagnosis

Sometimes all we can do is accept reality and move on.

Although we can’t have what we want, we keep going. Often, our disappointment is a blessing in disguise. We discover greater options, such as:

Employment with better benefits
Strength within ourselves and stronger bonds with others
Recognition that inner peace outweighs financial gain
A new appreciation for life and good health

Find the opportunity in every hard pill to swallow.

Life is not always easy, but it can still be good. Become a tough cookie ready to tackle whatever hardship occurs.

“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood and Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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