I'd Rather Be Righteous Than Right

The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.
1 Samuel 26:23


Occasionally my teenagers want help with their math homework. I try not to act too excited but secretly I'm doing the happy dance. There is something so gratifying to me about a good Algebra problem. A few substitutions and manipulations then...voila you get the right answer. I just LOVE it when I'm right!


Truth be told I like to be right in other areas of my life as well. 


Like when I share droplets of wisdom with my husband that he rejects but they turn out to be pearls.


Or when I offer my best mommy warning just prior to my kids disobeying and reaping the natural consequence.


This morning I wonder though do I really want to be right or do I want to be righteous.


I would rather honor my husband with my actions and words than win an argument.


I delight when I see obedience in my children so much more than saying, "I told you so."


To be righteous is to have a right standing with God and men. It is cultivating the long-term yield instead of close relationship instead of the short-term satisfaction of "right". Today I choose to righteous instead of right.

10 comments:

  1. Great encouragement. I enjoy being right, but being righteous (respectful to my husband, obedient to my God, kind to other, etc) Is far more important and rewarding.

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  2. Amen, Shannon! Being righteous is far better than being right. Good word :-)

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  3. Right-on Shannon! I learned early in my marriage that this was an important key to a happy marriage! Thanks for sharing this insight!

    Can I use your post on my Christian Womens Guest Post?
    contact me at RiseAboveYourLimits@gmail.com

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  4. Jenifer, love how you said righteousness is more important and rewarding. :)

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  5. Thanks for visiting Gwendolyn! XO

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  6. Becky Jane, you are such a sweetheart. Of course you can use this post!

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  7. Such a great reminder to focus on who we are rather than what we do. I love it! But I can't relate to you on the algebra thing. I leave math to my husband and tend towards English and History for subjects that I can really get into. =)

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    1. Jamie, lol - very few writers can. I wonder at times how it God gave me two such opposite genes - writing and math. Just goes to show how powerful God really is! :)

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  8. Shannon,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting on my card review; I appreciate it. Yours is a beautiful blog. I'm looking for encouragement, support, ways to grow.
    Peace and good,
    Chelle

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    1. Chelle, so thankful for your visit. It is so great to know that we can walk together in mutual encouragement!

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