paradox

PARADOX- “A statement or proposition seemingly self-contradictory or absurd, and yet expressing a truth.”

This is a biggie! The kids learned this as a "pair of ducks". The Yeah Duck and the Yuck Duck.

We need the freedom to talk in paradox. When we say something from our perspective, we aren’t necessarily looking for you to add to our perspective or try to change our perspective; we are looking to process our own. So, if we say, “It’s hot out”, we’re aren’t looking for, “no, this ain’t hot…”, a better response would be “It sure is. Does the heat affect you in any way?”
The focus then stays on what we are saying and we are inviting discussion on the SAME side. Stay on our side until you understand what it is we are saying, and why. Let us talk in paradox. Here’s an example from our training : “I wish we had never gone to Africa. I have seen God working so openly and powerfully during our time there.” Our hearts can and will have both thoughts at the same time. The pain of what it cost to be in Africa and the joy of seeing God work reside in our heart at the same time. Allowing these statements to lie side by side without weakening one is part of living in paradox. Our tendency is to use the positive statement to weaken the negative statement but both statements are real and powerful as they stand alone. We can explore each of the statements as a stand alone perspective, and they are both true and they both have value.