Although most couples have experienced awkward periods of silence after an argument, it is unlikely to compare to a husband and wife who had not spoken for two decades – but continued to live with each other.
Otou Katayama, from Nara, Japan, continued to live with his three children and wife, Yumi, who persevered in making conversation with him for over twenty years, but only received an occasional nod or a grunt in response. Recently, at the behest of his children, he finally broke his silence and spoke to his wife—20 years after the argument began.
Solomon wrote “Only by pride comes contention.”
Arguments, the silent variety or those outright shouting matches are all rooted in pride. “How dare he ….”, “After all I’ve done for her…”, or how about, “How can be so stubborn when he knows I’m right.”
Solomon also wrote, “before honor is humility”. Arguments escalate with pride, they dissolve in humility.
Paul tells us , “not to think of (ourselves) more highly than (we) ought to think; but to think soberly.” And later, “… be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you”.
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Because God has forgiven us of so much, we can forgive others, can’t we? And that’s something to be proud of.
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