I Was Wrong

Three words that can change everything. Three words that not many people are quick to speak.

"I was wrong."

After a plethora of articles about why being wrong and admitting it is a good thing, I am only left more confused by why we are taught our entire lives to never be wrong. When we are wrong, we are taught there are plenty of excuses we could use surrounding the situation to justify the wrongdoing.

Humans have been pointing fingers and making excuses from the get-go. Just ask Adam & Eve.

One article I skimmed over was by Terry Heick and he said, "Being wrong is only ‘bad’ if the consequences of that ‘wrong’ outweigh the benefits (and potential future benefits) of becoming right."

Do these benefits include your personal gain or that of the Father?

Are the consequences only implemented because your wrongdoing was caught?

This past week, on one of my walks I listened to a podcast and in this podcast a woman mentioned how easy it has become to be less accountable for our actions while we are in this social distancing situation. There is plenty time for a private life now. Having a private life is not necessarily a bad thing at any time; not everything has to be shared. There is also time for a secret life. Notice the difference? A secret life has the potential to be more dangerous. A private life consists of the minuscule details nobody really wants or needs to know, whereas a secret life harbors the details you don't want to share. The woman on this podcast talked about the difference in these two lives and how we need to aware of ourselves.

We are only as connected as we want to be right now. We may not be with the people who keep us accountable, or perhaps the person who would normally keep you in check is also tired, worried, and slacking.

Humility is just as important now as ever. Just because we are apart doesn't mean we shouldn't check in on those we need to help hold up or that hold us up. Just because we are not physically connected doesn't mean we shouldn't be spiritually. Being wrong is just as hard to admit now as it was before, but we should still be admitting it.

It seems like every time I see the news it is information that is completely different than what was said the day before. Being wrong is trending. Living wrong does not have to be.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." -Romans 12:16

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." -Proverbs 11:2

Now is not the time to be prideful. Do not let yourself or someone you love slip into a secret life. You can't ride the fence. You are either wrong or you are right. It is much easier to say "I was wrong “now, than try to sort it all out when you are so covered in excuses that you don't know what the truth is.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm getting to the point where I don't want to stay in anymore. I don't want to do the same routine every day. It is getting easier to be angered by little things, reach out to people less, and less important to say "I was wrong. "

Humbling yourself before each other brings unity.

Humbling yourself before the Father brings forgiveness and strength.

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." - James 4:10

Admitting to someone that you have messed up shows your true character. It is not easy, and the person you admit it to will often, respond with empathy, not with pride. Pride is a dangerous thing to have (fits right in that secret life) and not something we need to have right now. Not while we are all in sweatpants and messy buns, eating PB & J sandwiches morning, noon and night because we don't feel like making anything else.

Okay, okay, again, that's probably just me but there is nothing to be prideful about.

Call a friend, tell them where you might've gone wrong recently- they probably have too.

Let go of that past hurt and bitterness toward whoever wronged you. Don't expect them to admit it. It's a hard thing to admit, remember? Holding onto the hurt only brings that little piece of a secret resentment which feeds the secret life.

Be lifted up. Be accountable. Be loved. Be forgiven. Be made right. (you know you love to be)

Dear God,

This season in my life has brought plenty of opportunities for me to be wrong. Thank you for still loving me through them. I lay these past hurts, burdens, and resentments at your feet. I don't desire to carry bitterness. I desire to carry joy, love and light. I ask to be made clean of the wrongs I have fallen into. I pray that those I have wronged will find it in their hearts to forgive me, just as You have, and for that I am so grateful. Thank you for always being right. Thank you for people who hold me accountable. Thank you for the ability to have the humility to say, " I was wrong." Help me to be more transparent about being wrong-to take on that spirit of humility and have the strength to show it. We know you give grace to those who are humble, and I am forever grateful that you humbled yourself to come to the earth as flesh for me. Thank you for the grace you extend to me every time I am wrong. Thank you for loving me despite my prideful moments.

I praise you. In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.