Conflict Resolution...ew!
I'm not a fan of conflict. If at all possible, I avoid it. Growing up I would hide from it, quaking inwardly at the thought...but somewhere over the course of life, I've learned that can lead to a doormat mentality and people walking all over you. Again, I'm not usually the person to throw the first punch, I still don't like conflict, but I can and will stand up for myself, others, or what is right...but only when necessary.
So, that brings me to the point of this blog post. Ever have someone who insists on punching all your buttons? It's as though they get the joy of sitting there waiting for you to crack, they want to see just how far they can push you and it's as though they are looking to your reaction for some kind of justification for what they've done. Well, I've been pushed past my point. =( Which means I feel compelled to stand up for myself and confront the person using me as a personal punching bag. I'd love to just punch right back, but Dad did teach me one very important lesson over the years. "One wrong response never justifies a second." Thanks, Dad for the wisdom!
...and then I "happen" upon these verses -
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - excerpts from 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
A little closer examination of my own heart brings me to this. I need to remember to LOVE above all else, speak the truth in love and humility.
So, that brings me to the point of this blog post. Ever have someone who insists on punching all your buttons? It's as though they get the joy of sitting there waiting for you to crack, they want to see just how far they can push you and it's as though they are looking to your reaction for some kind of justification for what they've done. Well, I've been pushed past my point. =( Which means I feel compelled to stand up for myself and confront the person using me as a personal punching bag. I'd love to just punch right back, but Dad did teach me one very important lesson over the years. "One wrong response never justifies a second." Thanks, Dad for the wisdom!
...and then I "happen" upon these verses -
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - excerpts from 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
A little closer examination of my own heart brings me to this. I need to remember to LOVE above all else, speak the truth in love and humility.
God's been teaching me that too - speak the truth in love. I'd rather just love...because I HATE conflict. But he's teaching me I need to speak up and confront when necessary. Not all conflict is "bad" or must be avoided.
ReplyDelete