December 1, 2024: Conflict in Relationships

Brian Coons brought us an essential word on how to understand and resolve conflict in relationships.

He said that pride is a primary source of conflicts and barrier to resolving them. Proverbs 16:28 A person who turns from what is right/good stirs up conflict.

He showed how conflict can actually show us what others like and dislike and that not dealing with it will just create resentment. He noted how we really need a planned approach to dealing with conflict, otherwise conflict can become out of control. He likened it to the difference between a wildfire and a bonfire. Brian said bonfires are a planned area to meet, get warmed, and talk over things. Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone... God created us to need relationships for survival, so we need to look at what God's response would be when we find ourselves in conflict - a godly response is love, like asking, "What is best for the other person?" and finding how we can show Jesus to that person.

He also gave us some good antidotes to conflict that we can put into practice.

Most importantly, in conflict we need to remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies but spiritual forces of the kingdom of darkness (Eph 6:12) for the enemy only comes to steal, kill, and destroy but Jesus came to give us abundant life! (John 10:10)