Hello sweet friends,
Today’s Reading … John 9-10 and Luke 10-15
How do you deal with conflict? It is such an interesting personality trait that shows up a little bit differently in each person. There are those who are conflict avoiders, those who are energized by conflict, those who are willing to deal with a conflict but are exhausted by it after the fact. No matter how you feel about conflict, in this life, it is unavoidable.
Conflict within the church is always heart breaking. To see the body of Christ divided by a differing opinion tends to bring out the worst in most of us. Outside the church, when we deal with conflict, we must remember that we are still called to be the light of Christ. No matter how hot and quickly tempers rage.
I do not enjoy conflict. I lose sleep over it. I agonize over it. I tend to practice what I might say in my mind before an anticipated conflict and then replay the scenario in my head when it is over. There is very little peace in these scenarios for me. I found great wisdom in today’s reading that changed my whole perspective on dealing with conflict.
“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourself or what you will say for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:11-12).
Do not worry about what you will say. Conflict is inevitable but we do not have to worry about it. This changes everything. Why? The Holy Spirit. If I am walking with the Lord, seeking to please Him (not to win an argument or prove a point or defend myself) then the Holy Spirit will tell me what to say. And I am confident that the words given to me by the Holy Spirit will be full of peace, grace and truth because the Holy Spirit is peace, grace and truth. I also noticed that Jesus does not say that the Holy Spirit will give me words in advance. This ensures that in the midst of a conflict instead of being led by emotions and my own sinful flesh, I will be tuned into and relying upon the Holy Spirit. When I am filled with His Spirit and reflecting His love the conflict becomes secondary to my calling to be a vessel for Christ to be seen in me, by all those involved. In that purpose there is peace.
Pragmatically speaking, I think this is how conflict resolution can now look differently in light of this truth:
Unexpected conflict- Don’t jump in. Pray. Wait. Breathe and remember your purpose to be a vessel for Christ and make that the priority over proving a point or winning an argument.
Anticipating conflict -Don’t worry. Don’t practice – Pray. Pray for the people with whom you are anticipating having a conflict. Pray that you would love them well, that they would see Jesus in you and that the Holy Spirit would have control of your heart, mind and tongue.
Reflecting on conflict – Don’t replay, re-pray! Pray for forgiveness for any mistakes that you made in the conflict. Pray for reconciliation as needed in any broken relationships. Pray for God to work in your heart and sanctify you as you work through the process. And pray for peace as you lay the situation at the feet of God.
Phew…that feels so much better! Lord, please change the way we approach conflict. Change our perspective and our goals. Make us aware of our dependence on you and allow the Holy Spirit to overpower our emotions and give us your word to say. Than you for your faithfulness. Amen.
Love you all,
Kinsee
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”(Isaiah 55:11).
