I recently had a string of poor verbal choices, caused a few relationships to go south and then got defensive while being called on it. It was an altogether challenging month. I wish that I could say that somebody else was at fault or that someone else was really at the heart of it all, but if I did that, I would definitely be lying.
I am a type “A” personality, a high “D” temperament and a scrapper. I like to be in charge. I enjoy a good argument every now and then and I am often terminally certain that I must be right. Wow! As I read back over what I just typed, why in the world would the Divine allow me the privilege of serving Him and others as a pastor?
In short, I created some heartache and angst among some of my favorite people and then complicated it by not handling their direct correction well at all. In doing so, I made good relationships challenging and a messy subject messier.
After some significant woodshed moments with the Lord, I have offered sincere and honest apologies and have simply said the most powerful words in the English language. I’M SO SORRY!
Not, I’m sorry that I got busted on it but plain ole I’m sorry. You know, saying those words and saying them with regret and repentance are two very different things. I meant them. I said them and each person has been gracious and loving with me.
So why wouldn’t I handle this correctly? I mean, really? It’s not like interpersonal challenges are new to me. But stopping to recognize that I was the problem is new to me. Stopping long enough to realize that I was the genesis of the problem? Now that is new to me. I then threw gas on the fire by not responding well and poof! What could have been a small and simplistic fix created broken hearts, sideways energy and less productive hours for me, the offended, the church, the Kingdom and my family.
So, in hopes that this short reminder to you might save you the same sideways and damaging journey, here are three things to save you from you:
- Sometimes you are wrong. I know for many of you this is a no-brainer, but for those of you that suffer from the same terminal certainty that I do, it’s a good reminder that we can actually be wrong.
- When you are wrong, work hard to make things right rather than working away at proving you are right.
- Get to “I’m Sorry” as soon as you can and recognize that God uses humble, empty vessels, not pride-filled vessels to accomplish His greatest works.
Thanks for joining me today. I really hope you can join me on the Weekday Meditation, a brief podcast that includes an intentional time of guided prayer and meditation seeking peace, power and direction in your everyday life! You can find the podcast on your favorite podcast platform or at WeekdayMeditation.com
Go in Peace,
AChuck
