Compromise

Wanna hear a secret? I can be very argumentative. That's actually NOT a secret at all for anyone who has known me for at least 5 seconds. I don't mean to be combative, but I simply am not here for the bull. The person who has been able to sway me most in this area is my husband. He is very strong in thought and has a will of his own as well. So, guess what? We argue. I know it' s hard to believe that people who are supposed to love each other would dare to disagree, but, regrettably, I'd like to inform all "fairy-tale idealists" that marriage is FULL of arguments. Big ones, little ones, real ones, fake ones, money ones, kid ones...you name it! But over the course of this relationship, if there's one thing we've both learned it's this: Peace requires compromise. 

Funny, many of us are unwilling to compromise with one another. We HAVE to be right, even in the most ambiguous areas. We have been taught one interpretation of a scripture, and that becomes THE interpretation. We are raised to believe that a woman's role in society is one thing, so that becomes THE role. We internalize the ideas of what money management looks like, and now anyone who doesn't do it the way we do it is WRONG! Funny...we are so unyielding in our personal beliefs, ideas, and opinions; yet so flexible in our morals and values.

Some of us have compromised the core of who we are in the Spirit to be accepted by those of the world. Others of us have compromised God's righteous whispers to remain accepted by those in the church. We back-slide, flip-flop, and wish-wash all in the name of getting people to like us. However, when people not only LIKE us, but also happen to LOVE us, we want to become concrete pillars of dissension and strife. We don't want to bend on what we think is best for our family. We don't want to look at another house, we want to buy this one. We don't want to eat at Golden Corral, so we are just going to stay home. We have our minds made up and have no intentions of budging.

It's quite ironic don't you think? The things we are willing to bend versus the things we believe shouldn't break. Romans 14:1 says this, "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions." Since we have all sinned and fallen short, and at any given moment, many of us lack faith, we should spend a lot less time arguing over the things that matter not. We should instead be spending much more time finding common ground upon the solid rock. Understanding that in relationships, especially godly ones, the end game is not to win, but to be at peace to fulfill the ultimate purpose. A house divided can not stand. Neither can a marriage, a friendship, or a workplace team. So, be willing to bend a little. That way, together we may work in harmony to grow God's Kingdom. Be Blessed. XOXO