The Top Five Ways Men Can Be Stubborn

(And how God and IKEA can turn that around)

Disclaimer:

Before we dive headfirst into this lighthearted excavation of male stubbornness, it’s important to note that stubbornness is a universal affliction. Women, too, can be as headstrong as a mule refusing to budge in a thunderstorm. But for the sake of simplicity (and because I’m a member of the male species), I’m focusing on the guys today. So, ladies, feel free to laugh along with us and feel mildly superior, for today at least!)

1. The ‘Nothing's Broken’ Fallacy

The "I don’t need instructions" or "I can fix it myself" syndrome might be the most common form of male stubbornness. We can picture the scene: a man, surrounded by a multitude of mysterious screws, pieces, and an instruction manual that might as well be written in ancient Sanskrit. And yet, against all odds, he persists. Our hero refuses to admit defeat, even if it means assembling the bookshelf upside down. Gentlemen, let’s swallow our pride, read the manual, and accept that maybe, just maybe, IKEA knows best.

2. The ‘No Directions Needed’ Predicament

Ever been on a road trip with a man who refuses to ask for directions? To him, GPS is tech of the last resort and maps are akin to wallpaper. Despite circling the same roundabout six times, he insists he’s "got this." Sure, he might eventually stumble upon the destination, but at the cost of time, gas, and the patience of his fellow travelers. So guys, let’s avoid the scenic detours. It’s okay to ask for help and follow directions.

3. The ‘My Way or the Highway’ Stance

Some men have a thing for turning preferences into commandments. Steak must be medium rare, the thermostat must always be set to 68 degrees, and don’t even get them started on the right way to load the dishwasher. While there's merit in having personal preferences, let's not confuse our love for a certain football team or our ideal sandwich configuration with infallible truths.

4. The ‘I Don’t Need to Go to the Doctor’ Declaration

Perhaps the most dangerous display of male stubbornness is our habit of brushing off health concerns. Many of us would rather endure a week (or decade) of suffering than face the alleged indignity of visiting a doctor. Guys, nothing is braver or more masculine than caring for your health. Your body is not like your old car that you can fix with duct tape and WD-40. It deserves professional attention.

5. The ‘I’m Not Stubborn’ Assertion

The cherry on top of the stubborn sundae is actually the steadfast denial of our stubbornness. Some men would rather debate for hours, armed with shaky arguments and flawed logic, rather than admit they might be a wee bit stubborn.

All humor aside, stubbornness is not a gender-specific trait, and it's not entirely bad either. It's persistence misdirected, determination turned in on itself. If we channel that energy towards love, acceptance, and understanding, imagine the transformation we could achieve.

From a spiritual perspective, the Bible gives us many examples of stubborn people whose willfulness was softened and reshaped by God’s grace and love. Just one significant example: Paul the Pharisee’s dogmatic stubbornness made him persecute early Christians, yet, touched by God's grace, he became Paul the Apostle, a man stubbornly devoted to spreading the Gospel to those he persecuted and excluded from God’s kingdom.

So, my fellow stubborn ones, let’s strive to be stubborn in love. Let’s channel our obstinacy into loving our neighbors, standing for justice, and maintaining faith, even in the face of adversity. Because that’s the kind of stubbornness God calls us to. God doesn’t necessarily want us to stop being stubborn, but to redirect our stubbornness towards what truly matters: His commandment to love.

And remember, next time when you feel the urge to assemble that bookshelf without the manual, swallow your pride, think of our call to listen to our Creator, and stubbornly choose to love...the instructions.

What does your stubbornness look like? I’d love to hear in the comments!