As I was reading through the different symptoms of Asperger's, the one I found interesting and I never really thought about was stubbornness. I always thought that would be a woman thing! (Just kidding...no ugly emails please, I bruise easily!) Actually, I have found I am rather stubborn to a fault. I'm glad I'm not completely that way because in all honesty, my wife and I would be divorced. I will admit that it takes a lot of restraint to keep my stubbornness in check. I can say that I remember a time when I was younger there was a television ad for Arby's and I really hated the commercial...so much so that one day when my dad stopped in to get a bite to eat at, yes, Arby's; I refused to go in the restaurant. My dad couldn't understand why I didn't want to go, but I was so adamant about not going in, I was practically crying because I hated the store...all because of a terrible ad on television. I do like Arby's today, but the doctor will be the first to tell me to stay very far away from them or any fast food chain. (Because of my health.)
My wife will concur that there have been times in the past that my stubbornness has really irritated her because I can remember there were moments when she wanted to go see a certain movie and the girls wanted to see it as well, but I really didn't want to go. I was able to dodge most of the Twilight movies, but I didn't have much of a choice on "New Moon" because Jaimee couldn't go so I had to be the 'good' dad and take the girls to see the show. Other than that, I stayed away from the chick flicks. I will give a lot of credit to Jaimee because she has been really good about things I would like to do and things I really want no part of. And in turn, I've tried to show the same courtesy to Jaimee if there are things she doesn't want to do as well.
I guess it makes me feel a little better in knowing that even Jesus was rather stubborn if you think about. Remember, He is the one who said "if you are not with me then you're against me." Rather blunt, but I completely understand him drawing the line in the sand. He had to let people know that you had complete committed to him or not at all. You can't be "lukewarm" when it comes to Jesus being the Son of God. In some ways it is a comforting thought that even my Lord is this way because He stands His ground and that's okay by me. Who am I to argue?
I believe many fights and avoidance's could be settled if stubbornness was not a serious problem. I think the breaking up of relationships or divorces stem from this obstacle. There are a few times when stubbornness can be a benefit because there might be other people agree with you on a certain subject, but are afraid to say anything. In my analysis on stubbornness, I believe there is a place for it, but you have to be careful on when to use it and how to handle it if you have to deal with it. I can be honest and say that when someone is being stubborn with me, I do have a really hard time handling it without killing them! (I still love you wife!).
Song of Inspiration [Check it out on iTunes or Android!]:
Song: "Draw the Line"
Artist: Disciple
Album: O God Save Us All
Here's the lyric video to the song of "Draw the Line". In our stubbornness, there has to be a point of surrender and saying enough is enough, I will follow you Lord.
And here is my stubborn grandbaby Sophia. Like any baby, it's their way or No way!