Wow, Day 20 already, about halfway through the course. I encourage you to keep it up, you will be blessed in your efforts. And please add your comments sometimes if possible.
If love is so important then relationships are at the heart of that love. Our love is clearly expressed with how we deal with relationships.
There are always going to be things that people disagree about, that’s just the way it happens. If we trust God first and bring our issues before him, he can help to straighten things out. But we need to act to, we need to take action to fix broken relationships to restore that broken fellowship.
It’s not easy though. It has been a long process for me to learn some of the skills needed for conflict resolution. Keeping my mouth shut and ears open has been a key, which was also expressed in today’s reading. When you listen you get a chance to understand the other person’s problems. Before there is understanding there is no way to work things out as there is unexpressed anger, when you affirm someone else’s feelings there is a freedom to be felt by both of you.
Conflicts are not always going to end how you like them to. Sometimes the other person does not want to forgive, this is when you check you have acted appropriately and bring it before God. God knows the pains of you and others, he also has the power to bring about the change that is needed.
- Talk to God first – Because he is God
- Take the initiative – Wounds fester, fix them quick
- Sympathize with their feelings – Everyone has feelings (even if you don’t have the same ones)
- Confess your part – Because no one is perfect
- Attack the problem and not the person – Personal attacks are immature and inappropriate, love your neighbour
- Cooperate as much as possible
And a church that cooperates and a healing environment, as well as the blessings of God will be the result. Your efforts are a testimony to Gods love for you and your love for him, so use this opportunity, as a testing ground to refine you spirit.