Responding to Conflict

Responding to Conflict

Dr. Charles Stanley

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 15:18

When conflict occurs, people often look for someone to criticize. I remember being severely chastised while in a meeting at another organization. Because of God's enabling, I was able to remain calm and react in a godly manner.

Turning to the Lord in prayer is always the best way to respond in a crisis. As we do, we can ask for Him to provide:

• Spiritual discernment. God understands perfectly the source of the problem, and He can enable us to comprehend it too. Perhaps there has been a communication breakdown, a feeling of jealousy on the other person's part, or a mistake on ours. With the Spirit's assistance, we will gain insight into the situation.

• A quiet spirit. Our human nature will want to react quickly so that we can defend ourselves. Before we act, we must deliberately focus our attention on God and experience the inner peace that He promises (John 14:27).

• Wisdom. The Lord told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would give them wise words to say when they faced hostile authorities (Luke 12:11-12). He will do the same for you. If tempted to speak hastily, ask the Spirit to put a seal on your lips until God gives you the words to say and tells you it's time to respond (Ps. 141:3).

We do not have to react to criticism with anger and self-protectiveness, as the world does. God has called us to represent Him in every situation the same way Christ did--through dependence on the heavenly Father. Next time someone speaks critically to you, how will you respond?

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TAKE AWAY POINTS TO CONSIDER

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"Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains." William Penn

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"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart." Dag Hammarskjold

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"Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean, do not be disturbed because of your imperfections, and always rise up bravely from a fall. St. Francis de Sales

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"Temperance is to the body what religion is to the soul--the foundation of health, strength, and peace." Tryon Edwards

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"Add to your faith . . .knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience . . . 2 Peter 1:5-6

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"The devil temps that he may ruin; God test that he may crown." St. Ambrose

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"God tested Abraham. Temptation is not meant to make us fail; it is meant to confront us with a situation out of which we emerge stronger than we were. Temptation is not the penalty of manhood; it is the glory of manhood. " William Barclay

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"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow--only today of its strength." Charles Haddon Spurgeon