Pause For Prayer

By Karen Schoeppach

Resist or Give?

At times I wonder why it can be so difficult to accommodate the differences of others when I expect them to accommodate mine!? Why do I resist the act of compromise? There were some in my father’s family who thought he and a couple of his brothers let others dictate to them or that they allowed themselves to be easily swayed. They rarely argued their point or pushed to get their way. They held strong opinions and beliefs, but seemed to let others make the decisions , determine what should be done. As an adult, I realized that they, as some experts will say, “picked their battles”.

If they didn’t hold a strong opinion, if what others wanted or believed didn’t go against their core convictions, they accommodated or didn’t argue. It wasn’t a matter of changing their mind or giving in to another person. They just didn’t believe in being oppositional if they weren’t strongly against someone’s choice or opinion. They took a stand when it was something for which it was worth standing. Unfortunately, I did not inherit this trait. I have been known to belabor my point. I keep pushing because, even if the opposition “wins”, I want them to admit my position was valid. What a waste of time and energy!

Where do you stand? Do you resist and insist or are you able to give and let live?

Gracious God, we pray for the ability to compromise when we should and stand fast when it is important to do so. Give us the insight to realize when to accommodate and compromise instead of trying to push our way. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.