“Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?”
Does this even occur to us when we are in the midst of a conflict? Doesn’t the conflict exist because we think differently than another and we believe we are right and they are wrong? Our inward thoughts and outward discussions about the conflict typically try to get them to see their error. In the flesh, there is a self-protection mode that endeavors to guard us from hurt, pain, and suffering so the idea to choose to suffer wrong or be defrauded is somewhat foreign to us.
What is the bottom line? Isn’t self-protection a form of self-love? What is more important to us; our reputation or Christ’s reputation? Who do we love more: ourselves or the person with whom we are in conflict? What is our greater desire: being right or the unity of the body of believers?
Perhaps as you meditate on these truths, you will be as challenged as I have been.
Oh, Father, that we would get outside ourselves to love and serve You and others unabashedly.
