I love walking into WFPC. When I do so, immediately, I feel safe. The outside world has gotten pretty ugly. So many think dichotomously. There are two options: "right or wrong," "black or white," "for us or against us," "in or out," or "friend or foe." When we view the world dichotomously, we often start our conversations with the word "but." I know I've done it. Someone is talking about a topic for which I don't share her/his beliefs, and I'm right there, ready to quickly jump in with my "but." I can't wait to get in my two cents, to tell them how they are wrong. Once I utter the "but" word, I've completely discounted what the other person has said. "But" is a brick wall, a stop sign for additional discourse. To counteract this, I've substituted the word "and" for the word "but." "And" is additive; it acknowledges one person's ideas and thoughts while allowing for additional, ideas and thoughts. "And" is a multiplier.
My guess is God is both an additive and a multiplier. And, I believe God wants us to hang in there and listen when someone expresses an idea or thought that may be contrary to our own. These are the difficult areas of life. And they are the areas of life in which we need to work hardest. God certainly hasn't thrown in the "but" towel with us.
My challenge to us all is to make this one change - eliminate "but" from our vocabulary and substitute "and." This one change in our optics will be impossible to deny. And once our optics change, we can begin to have real dialogue.

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Proverbs 18:13

Heavenly Father,
Please help me open my ears and brain so I really listen. Help me especially when I'm angry with that person talking or the situation with which I am dealing. Help me be additive with others. Give me the strength to see others' perspectives and the wisdom to add new knowledge about a topic. I no longer want to be right; I want to be reconciled.
Amen