Conflict Resolution Day

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:17-18 

 

Today is International Conflict Resolution Day.  If you had friends, siblings, cousins, or human contact of any sort, you are well aware that there will be conflicts.  My brother and I had MANY conflicts from "He's looking out of my window" to physical altercations.  Needless to say, our parents took a very hands on approach to our conflict resolution.  There were several times, on family vacations, when Dad would actually pull to the side of the road and run us until we were too tired to continue with our conflict.

  

For the longest time, I viewed Conflict Resolution as getting MY way because, after all, I believed it was the correct way of viewing life.  However, the older I have gotten, I have learned that Conflict Resolution is not about getting ones way, it is about resolving the conflict so that the issue is no longer an issue.  What an eye opener that has been on this journey through life!

 

Think about this, when an issue arises where the result is a conflict, it is best to consider if "getting my way" is worth destroying a friendship, marriage, family, or potential friend.  You see, when our first response is to attack with all guns blazing with the determination to utterly destroy the person with whom we are in conflict, how will we be viewed from that point onward?  As a person who is difficult; as a person who is best to avoid; as a person who does not care on iota about anyone but themselves.

 

Now think about this: We may not always agree with the way God guides our lives, should we howl and rage at Him?  Oh, He'll listen, and then, as He told Job: "Put on your adult britches and listen whilst I explain it to you."  

 

There's an old adage well worth remembering: "Before you start a war, seek to reconcile, for it is best to have a potential ally than a permanent adversary."