" CONFLICT / DISAGREEMENTS "

Oh, it's you, well come on in I have something that I wish to share with you today. This week I'd like to talk about friction in your life. If you're ready to learn something about yourself as I did about me then strap in and stay focused. People often argue over minor disagreements, leaving the real issue untouched. When you are in a disagreement, stop and ask yourself if you are arguing over the real issue or if you have introduced a smoke screen by attacking someone's character. If you are unjustly criticized, remember that your critics may be afraid to face the real problem. Don't take this type of criticism personally. Ask the Father to help you identify the real issue and deal with it. Rivalries, arguments, and disagreements among believers can be destructive in three ways. (1) They damage goodwill, trust, and peace - the foundations of good human relations. (2) They hamper progress toward important goals. (3) They make us Self-Centered rather than Love-Centered. Jesus understood how destructive arguments among brothers could be. In his final prayer before being betrayed and arrested, Jesus asked God that his followers be " ONE " (John 17:21). Here's a thought, when you face conflict, step back from the hostilities and consider whether you and your enemy have common goals that are bigger than your differences. Appeal to those interests as you work for a settlement. As Christians, we are in conflict with anyone who would discredit the saving message of Christ. All true believers are in this fight together, uniting against the same enemy for a common cause. Facing a potential conflict can reveal your true character. Life is a series of choices. When we stop making choices in God's direction, all that is left is to make choices in the wrong direction. Sometimes conflict is unavoidable. Sometimes, however, it isn't worth the consequences. Always look for agreeable options to solve our problems, even if it is harder for us to do so,I told you this would be hard. LAST POINT: Always try to make peace first, look for the truth, be prepared to negotiate rather than fight a battle that is not necessary. Assuming the worst about the intentions of others only brings trouble. So conflicts can be averted by asking qualifying questions before assaulting. Beware of reacting before you hear the whole story. Now, you see that wasn't so bad, choose your battles carefully. Until Next Time... Jim,