“I was wrong”

Recently, Brian sent me this cartoon.  We both found it funny — probably because it hit a little too close to home. Why is it so hard for both of us to say “I was wrong?”  More importantly, why is it so necessary to say it when you have done or said something that is wrong?

In a previous blog, we talked about the power of forgiveness.  Forgiveness not only brings healing to the one receiving the forgiveness, but also to the one offering it.  “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to realize that prisoner is you” (Corrie Ten-Boom).  We can certainly forgive someone even if they haven’t said “I was wrong”, but let’s face it, those words make forgiveness a lot easier. “I was wrong” can powerfully diffuse an argument in a moment.

Last month, Brian said something (I truly don’t remember what it was) that hurt my feelings.  (True confession, I can be a tad overly sensitive on certain issues!) I didn’t respond immediately, but as I took in his words, my mind went to other issues, other misstatements, other hurts.  So, after stewing a bit, I went to him with this hurt and carrying the list of similar “hurts” in my back pocket.  He listened to me and simply said, “you’re right, I was wrong”.  That arsenal of past hurts that I had on “standby” to help plead my case was truly in that moment forgotten … forgotten.

So, in the weeks to follow, we encourage you to talk about issues that have ruffled each other’s feathers and if you have misspoken or misread a situation, we urge you to try saying, “you’re right, I was wrong”. You will be amazed at the power those few words have.  Just make sure he or she doesn’t hit their head when they pass out from the shock!