Amelia Student Ministries - Amelia Church of Christ

Last night at Home Skillet, we talked an awful lot about conflict. Conflict can be defined as something or someone that we struggle with. It can take many shapes and forms in areas of our life such as Family, Friends, Personal Struggles, Sports, Activities, and even Church life.

There are Five different ways that we tend to handle conflict:

One – We can accommodate conflict by surrendering our own wishes and desires for someone or something else.

Two - We can avoid the conflict by changing the subject or ignoring the conflict altogether. In severe cases, you might even sever a relationship or two by going this route.

Three – We can collaborate on a conflict by working together to find a mutually beneficial solution.

Four – We can compromise on a conflict by finding a middle ground where we are partially satisifed with the outcome.

and

Five - We can compete on a conflict by asserting our viewpoints over someone else’s.

Jesus had a lot to say about conflict. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” So, according to Jesus, when we have a conflict, we are supposed to deal with it in love and prayer.

What conflicts do you have going on in your life right now?

How would they change if you approached them through love and prayer?

Challenge: Try to resolve at least one of your conflicts this week.