Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him – Proverbs 26:27
“Ow!” Ralph yelled, followed by a loud thump and the sound of feet running in his direction. Surrounded by his wife and daughter, Ralph grimaced as he explained how an attempt to reach something on a shelf had caused excruciating back pain that landed him on the floor. “That’s not necessary!” Ralph vehemently objected to a hospital visit. Instead, he insisted that bed rest and a few days off from work would do the trick.
So, after five days of an Oscar-winning performance, Ralph announced he was fully healed and claimed he was likely desperately missed at work—only to discover that wasn’t the case once he checked his cellphone. Regretfully, Ralph learned that the call he had purposely let go to voicemail was from his boss, informing him of the company’s first fully paid, luxurious, three-day annual retreat to recognize valued employees, including him, which began today. Ralph’s hand went limp, and his cellphone fell to the floor as he realized his plan to feel appreciated had backfired. Lightheaded, Ralph felt his knees give out, and he collapsed onto the floor. But this time, the “Ow!” was for real.
Ralph’s actions demonstrate how going about something the wrong way always leads to regret. In other words, it is like digging a hole that you will eventually have to climb out of.