From Bad to Worse


Perhaps you read the story about Gary McIntyre.  Recently Gary had just started his 
workday in the woods of Canada when he heard a noise behind him.  Turning to look, 
he found himself being charged by a bear.  Gary did the first thing that came to mind, he 
scrambled up the nearest tree.

So did the bear.  "Her teeth," according to Gary, "were right under my boots."  Gary tried 
kicking and waving his arms but found them otherwise occupied grasping the tree.  So 
he turned to yelling.  As he climbed higher and higher, he yelled and screamed as loud 
as he could.  The bear climbed faster.  "The more I screamed, the madder the bear got," 
Gary said.

Finally, as tree ran out, Gary risked jumping from one tree into another to avoid being 
caught by the powerful claws.  Preoccupied with the precarious transfer, Gary 
momentarily stopped yelling.  And noticed that the bear appeared to calm.  Gary stayed 
quiet and still.  And the bear ambled off, with her cub, which Gary had not known was 
nearby.

Gary's observation that his screaming only made the bear madder and more 
determined to get him is an interesting one.  It is often observed in people relationships 
too.  How do you feel if someone yells at you or threatens you?  How do you take rude 
confrontation?  If you are like most people, the natural reaction is anger and 
resentment.  You tend to fight back, just like the bear did.  Then you have two angry 
individuals in conflict with each other and the situation goes from bad to worse.

On the other hand, a kind and gentle approach is calming and builds good will.  
Whether bears or people, it's a good principle to remember.


A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1