Why Argue?

Arguments are often over heated, wasteful, damaging and can even end relationships if not careful. Sometimes it's good to get your feelings out in the air but it's not what you say but how you say it that can turn a simple disagreement into an argument. For instance, on Thursday night I was talking with my friend David, who at times can be very combative. Knowing my personality, I can also be a bit "rough" with my words. So I'm listening to David rant and rave about a biblical doctrine argument he had with a co-worker that day. He was obviously upset that the employee subscribed to this doctrinal belief and it just didn't make sense to him. Throughout the conversation, I kept telling him, "David, some battles are not meant for you to fight. Let it go!" He took offense with me about that statement and the gloves went on. Here I am trying to keep my cool, thinking I am helping him and here I go losing my cool. We argued and I said some stuff to him that I knew was wrong. I ended the conversation with him and turned off my phone so he couldn't call me or text message me. By the time I got into bed the Holy Spirit convicted me and showed me "Alecia". It was not a pleasant sight. From that one argument God showed me the root of my fear and insecurities. I thought I was delivered from that years ago, but apparently not. God instantly brought back to my schema the movie Seabiscuit, which had been one of my favorite movies. Seabiscuit was a rejected horse that was not nearly as broad in stature and grace as the other prize winning horses. He fought any trainer or jockey that ever tried to approach it. Out of fear Seabiscuit would lash out, bucking and kicking everyone around it. He had been hurt and sensed that others felt he was less than the best. Spiritually I was another Seabiscuit that would lash out at people because they disagreed with me in fear of being rejected and unappreciated. God showed me how I had become negative in my conversation and I how would lash out at friends and family (people who love me). I cried myself to sleep when God showed me my heart. The brighter side of Seabiscuit is that he eventually allowed a trainer and a jockey in, they would eventually blaze him into one the greatest comebacks in sports history. That night, I had to be the bigger person and apologize to my friend David. Whether or not he ever understands, it was a valuable lesson that I had to learn.