FRIDAY 3RD JUNE,2016
TOPIC: HOW TO DEFUSE CONFLICT
TEXT: Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger..”
‘Harsh words stir up anger.’ If you want to avoid conflict, don’t create it. The key to getting along with people who are upset or who don’t share your viewpoint is to relax and try to empathise. That doesn’t mean agreeing to their every whim but when you are clear about your position, you can let them be who they are. When you are okay with who you are, you don’t need to make others wrong in order to feel right. Not only is it naive to expect everybody to see things your way, you must recognise that they have their own thoughts, opinions and feelings, Jesus said, ‘Settle matters quickly with your adversary.„while you are with him’ (Matthew 5:25). One family counsellor says, ‘Instead of meeting verbal attack with verbal counter- attack, seeing the situation from the other persons viewpoint is disarming, leaving the attacker with no target. Do you have to agree with everybody? No, but ‘Do all…you can to live in peace with everyone’ (Romans 12:18). Are there times when you must defend your position? Yes, but don’t go around with a chip on your shoulder looking for arguments.
Sometimes Christians are the worst offenders; we think because our cause is just, it doesn’t matter who gets caught in the crossfire.
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by
Overlooking wrongs’. Make up your mind to extend to others the same grace God has extended to you.
MEDITATION: Proverbs 19:11
STUDY THE BIBLE
ROM 9:30-10:1-21/1SAM 19/PS 64