Have you ever played tug of war? One team holds the rope on one end, and the opposing team holds tightly on the other end of the rope. There is usually a red flag in the middle of the rope hanging over a mud hole or something a little “yucky.” The strongest side is said to win–or does it? Well let’s just see the possible results of this tug of war.
1. Team one pulls hard enough that team two just gives up and lets go of the rope. The red flag suddenly crosses the boundary and the other team ends up in a pile—victorious, but a bit bruised.
2. The game goes on for a while, until team one endures and succeeds in dragging the red flag across the pit along with team two. Again the stronger is victorious, but the opponent has been dragged through the mud.
3. The last scenario is that each team is equally strong(and stubborn), and the tug of war continues for what seems like forever with neither team being victorious.
Relationships sometimes play this game, and the results are very similar. I don’t feel the analogy needs any explanation. Just meditate on each result, and see if you can find yourself anywhere on the losing or winning team. Think about it!
Is winning the argument all that matters? Is being right or being in control the only way to win? Keep this in mind.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.”
Matthew 5: 9.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane