Striving for Honor
Much of our tension and strife is over little differences, not major life-changing matters. Even if it’s a little issue, if we feel pushed, we tend to push back. Then, once sides are taken, even friends become opponents—and it’s hard to back down and concede to an opponent. We feel compelled to uphold our position, as if our honor depended on it.
Indeed, in the minds of all who witness the interaction, our reputation is affected—but not for good. Outsiders can more easily see how petty a striving point is. They can see how foolish it was to let tensions build in the first place. Because of our instinctive nature to want to be right, it takes more courage to stop an argument than to finish it. Consequently, the one who ends strife peacefully is the one who gains honor and respect.
According to Proverbs 20:3, “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.”
You can leave a comment by clicking here.