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(Presented by Lisa Bishop)
Have you ever experienced conflict in the workplace? Clashing with another person is part of life and the truth is, we have all experienced conflict, in both our personal and professional relationships.
Sometimes you find yourself in a minor disagreement, other times conflict can turn into a full blown falling out with a co-worker or friend. Whether in the workplace, or at home, relational discord is part of life. It is not a matter of “if” you will have conflict but “how will you show” up in the face of it.
How do you react when there is a disagreement, disharmony or tension in a relationship? Do you hide or withdraw and harbor your hurt? Do you react by lashing out, pointing fingers and blaming? Maybe you move into a mode of avoidance just hoping the conflict will resolve itself. While we know that none of these responses is helpful, it can be easy to default to behaviors that are unbiblical. Fear, pride, or simply not knowing how to engage with conflict in a healthy way can hinder our relationships with others. So what is the God-honoring and relationship-building way to approach what most of us experience as uncomfortable conflict situations?
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus gives us counsel and words of wisdom when he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Notice that Jesus says “peacemaker” not “peacekeeper.” This is a really important distinction. Being a peacemaker infers an active and intentional posture towards pursuing and creating peace. Taking the actions necessary to live in harmony with another person. Acknowledging there is a relational rift.
Peacekeeping on the other hand is often passive and an attempt to work hard at pretending that nothing is wrong or bothering you to keep tensions from rising. Peacekeepers try to avoid conflict at any cost. Peacemakers invite necessary conflict and know that it is a part of life. Now I am not saying that you should intentionally stir up conflict. I am saying that conflict is an unavoidable part of life and rather than ignore it, acknowledge it.
Re-frame conflict as a way that can enrich the relationship when approached in love and handled in a gospel grounded way. Practice the courage to engage conflict rather than living in a land of false peace.
And remember, in the words of Jesus, when you pursue peace, you will be blessed and called children of God.