You Have The Right To Be Wrong

How many times have we lost or injured a relationship on behalf of needing to be right? How many relationships would still exist if we had not allowed our pride or need to be right to have the final word? These are not rhetorical questions by the way. (; But, no need to answer them here or aloud. However, be real with yourself.

What if I told you that you have the right to be wrong? Some of you are probably like, “Duh, Captain Obvious!” While others may be saying, “What you talking bout Willis?!” Whether you’re in group 1 or 2, the statement still remains: You have the right to be wrong. But, it’s all up to you.

Remember the questions above about how many relationships could have been saved if our need to be right didn’t have the final say? Consider those questions as part of the solution to the statement: You have the right to be wrong. Because if our need to be right weren’t so strong, we may have potentially been able to save a few or more of our relationships. What if our right to be wrong were stronger than our right to be right?

I have come to the conclusion that being right is not more important than my friendships or whatever else may be at stake. It seems like it’s human nature to “need to be right” but that doesn’t necessarily make being right a need we seek to fulfill. Maybe it is our nature but we can allow that ‘fact’ to give us another view of what’s in our hands and in our power to do and to adjust accordingly. If I know that I have a strong willpower towards being right, I can choose to look again.

Now there are times when being right is important—I’m a student, hello. But I’m talking specifically about in relationships with others and if we look from another perspective and intentionally determine to ‘keep the peace’ we can save ourselves the time and the heartache caused by arguments and loss friendships. I realize that friendships are a two-way street so naturally we’d expect the other party to make the same considerations.

But here’s something to think about: We can only control ourselves, it’s none of our business how people treat us but it’s all of our business how we treat them. With that, maybe the other person doesn’t surrender their right to be right. But something I’m learning from personal experience is; their friendship means more to me than their changing themselves to save it too. What I mean is, maybe the change starts with me. Maybe my adjustments and the changes or considerations I’m taking in will inspire or begin a change in them.

You know the saying, “Be the change you want to see” well, I believe that is applicable here. As we learn and grow together let’s be the change we want to see. Let’s seek peace and with everything in us, let’s kill our need to be right and see where it takes us. I believe it will lead to long lasting relationships. We have the right to be right but we also have the right to be wrong. Which will you choose?

Be Encouraged:

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)