“Fire’s Changing Cycle” [Reflections on Sun Tsu's Art Of War #12-1C-3]

A big fire changes over time –
At outset your response sublime
Must rapid be to have effect,
Bring outside forces to the set.

Sun Tsu said muster up your ranks;
Coordinate attack on ranks
While they’re distracted with the fire –
Could mean achieving your desire.

Same holds when it’s God’s love you pour
Into some situation – for
When need is great, and panic’s high,
“Fear not” means someone need not die.

If Army’s calm when fire breaks out,
Hold back and see what it’s about –
Is it a ruse to lure you in?
Prepare while waiting to begin.

I’ve learned to watch “Presenting case” –
Not sucker in – avoids disgrace;
When first response is not best case,
Be there – prepared – but slow your pace.

The evil-one likes crisis-time –
He stirs the pot, thinks it’s sublime
If someone, hurt in panic, acts
Before assessing all the facts.

First aid? Well yes, for that can pay,
But more than that? It’s best to play
It out by ear; and interact
As rumor gets replaced by fact.

As fire builds up to raging blaze,
With damage done – still caution pays
Sun Tsu says – it might be enough
Without responding to their bluff.

Or maybe you can’t move right then –
To think you can assistance lend
Would foolish be, so close observe
The things now seen, and sounds now heard.

So too as crisis in folks lives
Comes to its peak – the trouble lies
In hasty actions, foolish moves
Like cutting holes in burning roofs –

It may be needed, but it’s clear
That situation, once you’re near,
Can be beyond the possible;
So futile acts are problems still.

Police attend domestic scenes
To lend a hand – it’s often been
Both parties who then turn, attack –
If troubles peak, sad end’s a fact.

So love has dangers just like hate;
It often pays to hesitate,
And re-assess initial views
Before assisting-mode you choose.

If all is calm, back out with haste,
For that is weird – assess the case;
The chances are you cannot help
With something you’ve pulled off the shelf.

It is a battle, not the war –
There’s other times, just as before;
So keep your head, relax, stay calm;
Beware of quiet ticking bomb.

All this applies to your defense –
As fire breaks out and things get tense,
Keep eyes alert – for others cash
In when your situation’s crashed.

Thanks Lord for this.

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