Reveal the Power
Day 46
I decided to take a look at the meaning of conflict. It boils down to the following:
- struggle, prolonged strife- between parties
- discord of feelings in opposition of interests or principles –conflict between ideas
I mentioned in a previous post my bJ (before Jesus) reaction to conflict was to yell at the other person and determine my way was right. Until today I did not know my reaction was a direct reflect of this definition. There was trouble with a person(s) about ideas.
Now aJ (after Jesus), I shut down and walk away. Yes, walking away can be good but not when your attitude is still conflicting with person and or their ideas. Walking away to pray, clear your mind, and to keep from saying something you will be sorry for saying is wise ways to handle conflict.
It is imperative however, to return to the conflict scene and seek resolution. Resolution does not me you give in on your ideas and principles nor does it mean you railroad them over the other party involved either. It means you pursue peace and seek to understand the other person’s point of view.
This is only successful and lasting when the Lord is our counsel. Yield in to the His counsel enables us to purse reconciliation even when we don’t feel like it. His counsel helps us accept His ways, knowing they are best and higher than ours. As we yield to Him conflict resolution reveals His power in us, showing the His glory while working the conflict out for our good.
I like the way you brought out that in the time of walking away we can pray, clear our mind. Clearing as in seeking the truth and getting rid of the cobwebs of old lies and the dirt of selfish thinking. Then reevaluate if our position/opinion is in line with biblical truth or if pride and wanting to just be “right” is really at the heart of our conflict with the other person. Once we really seek the truth, and find it, we need to pray and ask God how to approach the other person for resolution. Even if we were “right” and we wanted to “share the truth” with the other person, if we cannot do it in love than I don’t believe God would want us to share with the that other person. And the conflict may be such, that it could take years to fully restore the relationship.
I like that from your Psalm study, I see your walking away here, as going to the cave. Walking away is the cave that gives you God’s protection from sinning, and/or being “harmed” by the other person through their words… Not sure if you meant to bring me down this path of thinking, but I like where I ended up… I have to stay in my cave for three days, before I am able to come out… It takes that long for me to work through the muck and mire of my emotions and thinking to find God’s truth, repent to God, and hear how He wants me to speak/and what He wants me to do… Have you ever thought about how long you stay in your cave? I’m thinking-three… 😉
Well I guess I am the odd duck, but number one I hate confrontation and conflict and number two I look at it like this….who am I dealing with…if it someone that does NOT care about me to start with, then pretty much they are NOT worth me getting my panties in a bunch. Yes, I want to lead them to write thinking, but I am not going to get all upset over it. They will either want the correct information or they won’t. If it is someone I care about and I know cares about me, they would not intentionally hurt my feelings….so I will give them plenty of grace…..not get all upset…and if I got my feelings hurt, I suck it up and get over it….and once things are calm….I show them the God’s truth of the matter.
yes thats true for us to fix it…..its not always easy but once its done i feel better. You know what gets me that the person that i would love to this as well never does it…..sometimes i wonder what is going thru his mind……..but i guess its not work even wondering what they are thinking as long as i fix it and move on.
Wendy, what you have said is Soooo helpful
I like that resolution does not mean that you give in on your ideas.
Thank you !!