We will all encounter those with whom we disagree. We can't escape that. But we can learn to disagree graciously. Here are four suggestions to help you become a model of grace when those disagreeable times come.
First: always leave room for an opposing viewpoint. A word for those of you with teenagers: if you don't have room for an opposing viewpoint, you're not going to fare well in weathering their adolescent years. During that time teens can wuite vocal in thrir opposition. And what catches us off guard is tha sometimes it's not rebellion; sometimes they're right! Their different point of view can at worst, be challenging. At best, it can change our persoective.
Second: if an argument must occur. Don't assasinate. An argument is one thing. Character assassination is another. If you have to put on boxing gloves and got in the ring, don't resort to hitting below the belt. If you must fight, fight fair.
Third: if you don't got your way over it and get on with life. If you wind up on the short end of the stick in a congregational vote, don't take your ball and pout all the way home. Get over it and get on with your life. Don't call for a recount or a referendum. Don't filibuster the congregation, droning on and about your defeat. Life is too short to be petty and too precious and to piddle it away pouting.
Fourth: sometimes the best solution is a separation. The situation with Paul and Barnabas set a biblical precedent for this. They couldn't come to terms so they took to the road. If separation is the best solution, fo it graciously. How do you know when it's time to put a little distance between you and the person you're having problem with? When your disagreements start to outweight your agreements. Separation is never easy, but it may be God's way of moving you on to another dimension of ministry, that ministry may be the mountaintop experience of your life. Separation is merely the valley you have to go through to get there.
No comments:
Post a Comment