Harmony

Harmony

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

“WHAT COLOR IS THE SKY in your world? Do you always wear rose-colored glasses?” Her snappish remark, made in a moment of frustration, stung momentarily before I shrugged it off.

“Usually. I try, at least.” I smiled wryly, refusing to take the bait with a snippy reply of my own, knowing her remark stemmed from deep frustration that had nothing to do with me. The tense moment defused, I turned the conversation back to the dilemma before us.

I try to live in harmony with others, assuming the best of people. And that can be an unpopular stance to take, especially in the midst of conflict. Everyone wants you on their side, agreeing wholeheartedly that the other side is ridiculous, malicious, or worse.

Assuming the best does not mean minimizing or excusing bad behavior, but it does require pausing to consider motivation and intentions, reflecting momentarily on why they are acting this way, considering what might be the real issue, and praying about how it can be resolved without allowing hurt feelings and offense to make things worse.

Attempting to live harmoniously requires us to be intentional about how we might live peacefully alongside another, despite differences of opinion and personalities that tend to rub a little raw, especially with fellow believers. It does not mean we ignore shortcomings or turn a blind eye to issues that must be addressed. It does not require us to be doormats, allowing someone to run all over us. We can have healthy, harmonious boundaries.

Remember: God loves the people we don’t particularly like and, perhaps, even long to loathe. People who irritate us are created in his image. They are loved by our Savior, no matter their flaws, and it would be wise of us to remember it lest we become the one guilty of sowing disharmony and discord, doing untold damage to the family of God in the eyes of a watching world.

Lord, may our default response to others be loving. Help us to live in harmony with fellow believers and those around us. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Step: Practice not taking the bait when someone else does or says something inflammatory, praying silently how you might defuse and redirect the situation instead.