September 20, 2004

[Rev. Doc]

Arguing

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
I Timothy 2:8

We have a tendency to argue over the most trivial of things, and even things that we think might draw us together.

Years ago, a large statue of Christ was erected high in the Andes on the border between Argentina and Chile. Called "Christ of the Andes," the statue symbolizes a pledge between the two countries that as long as the statue stands, there will be peace between Chile and Argentina. Shortly after the statue was erected, the Chileans began to protest that they had been slighted -- the statue had its back turned to Chile. Just when tempers were at their highest in Chile, a Chilean newspaperman saved the day. In an editorial that not only satisfied the people but made them laugh, he simply said, "The people of Argentina need more watching over than the Chileans.

Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you live in peace with those around you, even if it's not to your advantage.

"The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an escape hatch for your opponent, so that he can gracefully swing over to your side without too much apparent loss of face."
~Sydney J. Harris

[Staci]

Amen! *~_~*

Thank you for posting this, Rev. Doc. I feel that with my new job I will be needing this sort of wisdom shortly enough as is! Thanks again.

[true_noir_chloe]

Thank you so much, Rev.Doc. Wow, this is very timely for me now. ^___^ I loved the end quote.

[plutogrl03]

I had always wondered why that statue was there. Thanks for the story! Along with its lesson on anger, it shows that one person can make a difference.

[SnowLeopard]

Thanks! I needed that!