Proverbs 26:12
"Seest thou a man wise in his own
conceit? there is more hope
of a fool than of him."
"What is the difference between
adults and children?" Most answers given are focused on the supposed maturity of
adults and silliness of children. However, the answers don't praise
adults at all. Because most adults hold grudges while children
don’t.
If you’ve been around children, you’ve probably witnessed this firsthand. A child can be in a fight with another child one minute and best friends with the very same child a few minutes later. A child can tell his mother that he hates her and then 10 minutes later decide that she is the best mother in the world. On the other hand, if an adult tells you that he or she is no longer speaking with you, chances are 15 years later, you are still not on speaking terms with that person.
So why is it, that we adults, who are mature, keep grudges while children, who are less mature, are able to let go? The reason is that children choose being happy over being right, while adults choose being right over being happy.
It feels terrible to end a once cherished relationship. It is miserable to go through life not speaking to a family member, an old friend, or a neighbor. But most people would rather be right than to pick up the phone and admit that they were wrong or be the first to make amends. We have a lot to learn from children!
This is what King Solomon meant when he wrote: "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him." How could there be more hope for a fool than a wise person? When we are so attached to being wise in our own eyes, and to being right all the time, there is more hope for a four-year-old who doesn’t know much, but also doesn’t need to be right. Sometimes our attachment to our wisdom can stop us from making intelligent decisions.
Today, let’s take some time to think about "being right." When do we feel the need to be right? Does it ever get in the way of our relationships at home, at work, or with strangers? Today, practice being kind over being right. And if there is a relationship in our lives that needs mending, let us be brave enough to pick up the phone and call. Choose happiness, choose kindness, and choose life.
If you’ve been around children, you’ve probably witnessed this firsthand. A child can be in a fight with another child one minute and best friends with the very same child a few minutes later. A child can tell his mother that he hates her and then 10 minutes later decide that she is the best mother in the world. On the other hand, if an adult tells you that he or she is no longer speaking with you, chances are 15 years later, you are still not on speaking terms with that person.
So why is it, that we adults, who are mature, keep grudges while children, who are less mature, are able to let go? The reason is that children choose being happy over being right, while adults choose being right over being happy.
It feels terrible to end a once cherished relationship. It is miserable to go through life not speaking to a family member, an old friend, or a neighbor. But most people would rather be right than to pick up the phone and admit that they were wrong or be the first to make amends. We have a lot to learn from children!
This is what King Solomon meant when he wrote: "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him." How could there be more hope for a fool than a wise person? When we are so attached to being wise in our own eyes, and to being right all the time, there is more hope for a four-year-old who doesn’t know much, but also doesn’t need to be right. Sometimes our attachment to our wisdom can stop us from making intelligent decisions.
Today, let’s take some time to think about "being right." When do we feel the need to be right? Does it ever get in the way of our relationships at home, at work, or with strangers? Today, practice being kind over being right. And if there is a relationship in our lives that needs mending, let us be brave enough to pick up the phone and call. Choose happiness, choose kindness, and choose life.
Amen!
Ref: (Prov. 29:20)
(Luke 18:11)
(Rom. 12:16)
(Rev. 3:17)
May God Bless You
And Your Family
Minister Robert Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
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