“That you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV
“Value relationships and another person more than you value your opinion.”
My thoughts and comments today ask, “disagree or disagreeable?”
Agreement is not always easiest, but it is always best. There are people that assume there will never be disagreement between “good” people, but can that possibly be true in the real world? Anyone who has a mind of their own, or any self confidence to speak of, will sometimes find themselves in disagreement. The question is this: what do you do after you disagree? There are times when differing opinions held with charity and mutual appreciation can bring people together around a better idea or solution than either person may have originally had. “People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.” Proverbs 27:17 Today’s English Version.
With disagreement, you will learn something; it just is not the most enjoyable way to do so. My Mom often reminded me, “People can disagree without being disagreeable;” it is easy to confuse the two. I think Mom gave good advice. It does not always have to become personal or competitive; it’s not just about who wins. The Bible says, “Agree with one another so that there be no divisions among you and that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV. Is that really possible? Well, it must be if God says that’s what He desires from us. He didn’t say it would easy, but He obviously says unity and good will should be your priority.
This principle is not addressing every variety of differing opinions; to me, it does appear to address disagreements that would become disunity. Disunity is never a viable option. There are times when all you can do is agree to disagree, in the kindest way. Now, I think that means a lot more than just “going along to get along.” That kind of effort may help temporarily or in a single instance, but isn’t much help for the long haul. Maybe sometimes it is this simple; value relationships and another person more than you value your opinion.
There are times when who is right and who is wrong is really not all that important. Both could possibly be right and both could be wrong, seeing the same thing but from a different context, purpose, or understanding. When there is a disagreement that interrupts harmony and good will, all concerned have the same responsibility to seek resolution, it would seem to me. That is a matter of examining your own heart and finding common ground for agreement. “It is your own face that you see reflected in the water and it is your own self that you see in your heart.“ Proverbs 27:19 TEV. Maybe, just maybe, the reluctance or stubbornness you think you see in the other person and can’t get past is really a reflection you are seeing of yourself.
The promise is that unity and harmony are priorities with God and powerful in matters of the Kingdom of God, rewarding one’s life with His richest blessings. “How wonderful it is; how pleasant for God’s people to live together in harmony! It is like the precious anointing oil . . that is where the Lord commands His blessing – life that never ends.” Psalm 133:1-3 TEV. Jesus echoes David’s psalm, “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in Heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there with them.” Matthew 18:19-20 NLT.
My prayer for you today is this: make other people more important than your opinion.