Navigating Conflict (And Why It Can Be A Good Thing)Sample

Prepare Your Heart When going into any conflict, it’s important to make sure your heart is in the right place. Many times you’re so fired up about the injustice you’ve experienced that your judgment can be cloudy. As a result, you might go into the conflict with the end goal to win and feel validated that you are indeed right. If your heart is full of anger or bitterness, chances are you’ll have a hard time opening up to what the other person has to say. If you are unable to open up to the other person’s feelings, conflict resolution will be hard to achieve. Before going into any conflict, pursue a good mindset and heart condition. It’s also important to follow Matthew 7 in regards to removing the plank from your own eye before pointing out another's. If your desire is to address a friend or family member’s concerning issue, be sure you’ve opened up yourself to God’s work in your heart first. The Bible addresses this very clearly and it’s specifically for your best interest. You are guided to healthy conflict resolution by first examining your heart, your motives, and your own sin. Preparing your heart means being eager to seek resolution, which means being willing to forgive. No doubt it’s hard to let go of the pain someone may have caused you; we’ve all felt the desire to hold onto our hurts as if to declare we are in the right. But to hold onto our hurt is to deny ourselves and the other person the forgiveness that allows someone to move on. Holding onto it won’t help you; it will only hurt you. Seek God in prayer, let the baggage fall in worship, and let Him work in your heart first.