Hey guys, it's Carson again and I am so excited to be back on the blog! Everyone deals with conflict but not everyone deals with it in the same way. In this blog post I am going to talk about conflict and how to deal with it.
In our society today we see a lot of conflict between many different people, groups, and organizations. There will always be conflict around us, but we need to be aware of how to deal with it. There are many scriptures that talk about conflict and how to deal with it but the first one that came to mind is Matthew 18:15-17: It says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” A couple things that I got from this was that you need to involve people in it. If there is a conflict between you and someone else, seek counsel. First seek through scripture and then go to wise people you know, and they will help you deal with it. When dealing with conflict one of the best things you can do is to confront it. If it is your fault, then own it, take responsibility for it. If it is someone else’s fault you need to go to them and talk about it. If you do not resolve your problems this will continue to get worse. In Matthew 5:23-24 it says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." Conflicts between people are meant to be dealt with. If you have a conflict with someone and you are holding onto that grudge it makes it harder for you to receive. When you are holding onto all this anger towards someone it slowly starts to build up and to harden your heart. I have experienced it firsthand, and it isn’t pretty. 2 Timothy 2:24 says, “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” When you feel like conflict is beginning to rise then you should stop yourself and think of what is best to say. There is no reason to start a fight unless it is justified by scripture. Remember what we are called to do. We are called to be kind and LOVE EVERYONE! So, remember, in the midst of conflict be sure to involve others and ask for advice, own it and claim responsibility for it if it is your fault, and the main one is forgiveness and grace. Matthew 6:14 says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Just because you have a conflict with someone doesn’t mean you hold onto that and hate them for it. Forgive them and you will also be forgiven. Be sure to give grace where it needs to be given. None of us are perfect so we shouldn’t expect others to be so too. Show them the love and grace that Jesus shows us every single day. -CD
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