Apr 28, 2023
The main reason that we find ourselves in conflict situations is
that we want one thing, and the other person wants quite the
opposite. It’s a well-worn path, the one that leads toward
conflict.
Pride, ego, selfishness, work together in a murky swill that clouds
our judgement. We dig our heels in, the other party does the same
and … boom, there you have it. Conflict.
You’d think we’d have learned by now how not to go down that road
and yet here we are. So, time to learn to take a different
road:
James 3:18 People who work for peace in
a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living.
An interesting concept, that … working for peace in a
peaceful way. Imagine just for a moment if instead focussing on a
win, we were to focus on creating peace.
Now, the best sort of peace is a win/win. It’s amazing how often
conflict arises out of a simple misunderstanding – two people
coming at the same issue from different perspectives. Many a time
I’ve seen people argue over an issue, saying the same thing in
different ways, in what I call violent agreement. Win/win is the
best sort of peace.
But sometimes peace will cost you. Sometimes, one party has to give
in so the other can win. And often, in humility, that ain’t such a
bad thing. However things play themselves out though, remember
this:
People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings
that come from right living.
Being the peacemaker can be hard, it can be painful, it can involve
loss – not always, but sometimes. And yet God’s heart is to bless
the peacemaker.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.