The image of water breaking through a small opening in a dam is vivid and instructive: what begins as a tiny crack quickly becomes an unstoppable flood. Conflict works the same way — what begins as a small argument can rapidly escalate into deep and lasting division. The wise response is to stop before the first exchange, not to try to control the flood after it is released.
Memory phrase: Stop fights before they start.
Talk about it: Why is it easier to stop a fight before it starts?
Prayer: God, help me walk away before fighting starts.