Winning
is not the ultimate prize of life; it is the manner in which we finish the race
that counts the most. It is often the last straggler across the finish line
that receives the most attention, because they persevered to the very end.
Winning
an argument is not necessary to feel validated either. We can concede that we
are wrong, if indeed we are, without any shame or recrimination. Our mate is
not our competitor, but our helpmate and supporter.
We
have a viewpoint that differs from our employer's, friend's, neighbor's,
child's, parent's or spouse's perspective; but it is no less right or wrong
than theirs. It may be different, but it is just as valuable as their
perspective.
There
is nothing heroic about destroying a marriage with our intolerance,
condescension, bitterness, dislike, or lack of appreciation of our mate. We
soon realize that we were acting as pawns on Satan's game board, playing right
into his hands and wreaking havoc for generations to come.
If
both parties in a disagreement are willing to bear with one another, and to lay
our life down for each other, there is always a way to peacefully resolve all
issues and to avoid fighting and drama. We brainstorm together about a third
alternative upon which we can both agree.
Neither
of us is the enemy, we are simply fellow sojourners in this life with equal
rights and privileges in the family of God. Quickly apologizing from the heart
for any hurt that we cause during a disagreement, and readily forgiving one
another, goes a long way in keeping unity in our relations (Colossians 3:13).
Repairing
our relationships is so much more mature than rending them in half and going
our separate ways - leaving a trail of broken hearts and lives behind us. Seeking
wisdom from God's Word and His Spirit during mutual times of prayer can also
help us to breach any gaps in our unity.
A
trained counselor can also help us to negotiate our differences if we are both
willing to be vulnerable, honest and dedicated to changing in ways that will
benefit our relationship. The key is to negotiate until we find common ground
on which to stand, and to walk together in the Spirit.
Prayer:
Father
God, Your Son reminded us not to separate what You bind together (Mark 10:9).
You admonish us not to break any vow that we make, but to honor our commitment
to one another with charity, patience and kindness (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). You
want us to work together to find an equitable solution to any conflicts in our
marriage, as well as in our affiliations at work, in our community, and in Your
Body (Psalm 133:1).
Give
us Your wisdom to maintain peace, and to show Your agape love to those who
wound us; to turn the other cheek and to bear with one another's idiosyncrasies
and foibles (Ephesians 4:2). Give us patience to love one another as Christ
loves the church; so that we can represent a living sacrifice as a testimony to
an unbelieving world.
Thought
for the Day:
There
is nothing heroic in winning at the cost of someone else's expense; however, in
laying down our life and patiently serving one another with the love that our Heavenly
Father shows toward us, we serve together as victors in this sinful and
perverse world in which we live.
-
Matthew 17:17; John 15:12-13
