One of the hardest things in life is allowing someone to "win" a disagreement - especially when we're convinced that we're right. The Word of God teaches, however, that "losing" in the eyes of the world can mean "winning" in the eyes of God.

The Bible puts it this way: "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family" (Matthew 5:9)

Did you get into a disagreement with a spouse, family member, a, or colleague? Have you decided that you're not going to "back down"?

As Matthew 5:9 instructs, who we really are has very little to do with who gets the "last word" or what we "accomplish." After all, even non-believers win a lot of debates, and accomplish impressive things! Instead, who we really are has everything to do with how we love, treat and unify people. In 1 Corinthians chapter 13, the Bible warns that we can speak in tongues, have prophetic powers, and give everything we have to the poor, yet still be useless to God.

Being "someone" to God often means surrendering our right to be "right". It also means that, occasionally, we'll have to "lose" with people in order to "win" with God.

The devil will do anything to escalate a disagreement. He will remind us of what someone said, and how they said it. He will feed a tiny offense until it progresses into an explosive fight. That's what he does! The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy the unity in families, among believers, and in aships. He recognizes the power of peace -and so should we.

James 3:18 promises: "Real wisdom... is characterized by getting along with others. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God, and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each otherl

And trust me, it can be hard work.