Most of us hate any form of conflict. If we see it coming, we run away, bolt the door, and shutter the windows. We hope if we just ignore conflict, eventually it will just go away like one of those unwanted door-to-door salesmen. Yet, experience shows us this is never the case. Conflict remains there… waiting. Conflict must be addressed.
The storyline of the entire Bible could be seen as God addressing conflict head-on. Adam and Eve sin and immediately God speaks to them about it and confronts how it has ruined their relationship. Rather than distancing himself from the problem and avoiding it, he exposes it and declares his intentions to resolve it. Though it comes at great cost to himself, God refuses to run from the problem or ignore it. This results in God resolving the conflict and highlighting the goodness of his character. We learn about God’s grace, kindness, mercy, gentleness, and patience because he engages in conflict.
Similarly, Christians can see conflict as an opportunity. It’s not a chance for us to experience comfort, relaxation, and delight. But it’s an opportunity to show God’s character. We can approach conflict in a way that highlights how he has been good to us and we, in turn, are able to be good to others.
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
To learn more about Conflict, watch this Equip Night with special guests Don and Renee Worcester:
Follow along using these handouts:
– Self-Defensive Patterns
– Rules of Engagement