As I watch the inauguration events, I’m humbled and encouraged by the diplomatic engagement between former President Obama and current President Trump. I’m forced to look within and ask myself:
Am I capable of diplomatically disagreeing? Can you diplomatically disagree?
I believe that this is a question that all of us should ask ourselves. So many marriages dissolve because of the inability to diplomatically disagree. Friendships end, violence erupts, people hate and even kill all because of an inability to disagree. This shouldn’t be so.
The ability to disagree diplomatically displays a high level of maturity. It also displays a high level of emotional intelligence and self-control. It takes intention, and I’m certain a lot of practice, in order to engage respectfully with those that we absolutely disagree with.
Lately, I’ve been focused on love. Not the world’s definition of love, but rather the love of God that is gentle, unconditional, and sacrificial. As I’m learning myself, I know that in order for me to disagree diplomatically I will need to focus on love. It is imperative for us to walk in love, separating the person from their ideas, in order to diplomatically disagree.
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us…”
– Ephesians 5:1-2a
How Do We Diplomatically Disagree?
- First, we must have a love for mankind. Then, we are able to respectfully disagree without hating someone for differing from us.
- Secondly, we must figure out what we individually have to do in order to be able to diplomatically disagree. Manage our anger, deal with our insecurities, get comfortable expressing ourselves? We have to figure that part out.
- Lastly, we must realize that we’re all on a growth journey. We may be in different places of our journey, but we must be humble enough to realize that none of us have arrived. There are times when others will be used in our lives in order to help us see a different perspective, and there will be other times when will also be used to help someone else.
All of us are unique with our various interests and perspectives. As we will inevitably disagree with others around us, let’s be intentional to do so diplomatically.
“Do everything in love.”
– I Corinthians 16:13
Read MARRIAGE: What I’ve Learned in 4 Years + 1 Day
