On March 11, 1864, the Dale Dike Dam in South Yorkshire, England broke and flooded the city of Sheffield. More than 600 houses were damaged or destroyed and more than 240 people lost their lives. It is believed that a small leak in the wall of the dam expanded until the dam failed.
Can you imagine? All of that devastation caused by just a small leak? God knew the destructive nature of something that starts out small and is left unchecked. “The beginning of strife,” our Lord tells us, “is like releasing water” (Prov. 17:14). Letting out just a little can lead to major strife. “Therefore,” we are instructed directly and clearly, “stop contention before a quarrel starts.” The NASB says, “abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.”
If someone had found that small leak in the dam in 1864 and stopped it, lives could have been saved! If someone (i.e., me or you) would plug up a leak in our temper before it bursts, much heartache and strife can be avoided! Let’s learn to plug the leak and walk away!