Prevent "Bugscuffles"

Picture by Caprice Miller

^“27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. 

²⁸ A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.”

– Proverbs 16:27-28

What pleasant thoughts to start off with. Scoundrels and troublemakers are not really the sort of personalities we enjoy being around. They tend to be the ones in the midst of scuffles.  And if they are really unpleasant people, it could become a real “Bugscuffle”.  (Yeah, I did it.  I worked that word right in there.  Caprice’s definition was “bug fighting.”  Sounds like that could be vicious.)  But seriously, chances are you may have encountered someone like this.  The sad reality for some though is that they don’t even realize they create the trouble and strife that they do sometimes.  They seem to become involved in one relational issue after another and yet never realize the common denominator of these situations is…well…them.  And then there are those real “bugscuffle” types.  They know exactly what they are doing when the cure for their boredom is just to create an atmosphere of, you guessed it, trouble and strife.  Oh what a path of destruction they leave behind them.

It can be difficult to understand the thought processes of these types of people.  Most of us find it a much better life to live when it’s harmonious and we all get along to the best of our ability.  It is unfortunate though that the activities of causing strife and troublemaking are found in every area of humanity, even Christ followers.  It’s interesting how the enemy seems to use people to his advantage and to their demise.  He knows how to identify our personal weaknesses and use them as tools to wreak havoc in the lives of those around us.  Those left in the path of destruction are also usually the very ones who are actually trying to encourage us in life, if we allowed them too.  Before we know it, strife and trouble have been created, walls have been built between people and another relationship is damaged.  Chances are the person responsible is still wondering “What just happened?”  There may be a part of that person who really doesn’t want to be the cause of strife and trouble, but for some reason, they couldn’t control themselves.

This is the reason why we are warned time and time again about the plans of the enemy.  We are told in John 10: 10 the purpose of the enemy – “…to kill, steal and destroy…”    We are also told that Christ came so that we “…may have life and have it abundantly.”  An abundantly life isn’t one full of unnecessary strife and trouble that leaves damaged relationships along the way.  An abundant life is one that strives to encourage others and has uplifting relationships.  Abundant lives tend to be those that avoid the “bugscuffles” because that just interrupts the joy in life that should be experienced…in abundance. 

The enemy will use any opportunity to cause strife and trouble.  We have to be aware of this in order to not allow ourselves to be unwittingly used as a tool of relational destruction. Be on guard today and don’t allow the enemy to kill, steal and destroy the joy in your life and the joy you could help another experience.  Instead cause others around you to wonder why you won’t join in their “bugscuffle” party.  In other words, live the abundant life Jesus offers.  Perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to share your joy and The One it comes from.