Pastor's Corner: Consider why you argue

Have you ever had an argument? Most of us have. It may have been with your kids, a co-worker or your spouse. It is unfortunate that arguments have become a way of life. There are actually people living around us who can’t communicate unless they elevate the volume of their voice. They have to be heard no matter what, so they talk over everybody.

If we are to be honest with ourselves, is anything really ever solved or accomplished by arguing, except maybe in a courtroom.

I have come to believe when we are in the heat of battle we lose focus of the things that really matter. We are not really listening to the other person, we are just waiting for them to stop talking for a second so we can respond with our argument. This goes on back and forth and sometimes it does irreparable damage to the relationship. Is this really what we want? Is it worth it to win the argument and lose the relationship?

I don’t think it is. I was given some really good advice many years ago. This is what I was told; “You can be right or you can be happy. You can’t be both.” I have learned through the years that most arguments start off with something petty and escalate. I think we should all decide together that we would much rather be happy than right.

I know this is not always easy. However, when you decide that you want to be happy instead of right you will find your relationships are much healthier.

Think about this. If we decide as a community to be happy with one another instead of arguing with each other, we could change our neighborhoods, communities and cities for God. I can’t wait to see how God uses each and every one of us to do this.

The best is yet to come.