Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Conflict Resolution, A lost Art

Who taught you how to resolve conflict? The answer for most is both no one and everyone. We learn from watching and observing. Usually what we watch and observe from a young age is not healthy conflict resolution. Media plays a huge role as the #1 influencer of kids over parents and the church in society today. Now Rambo, and Judge Judy are our guides. Tell me that isn't scary. Here is a few thoughts when considering conflict that Rambo might not be teaching.

*It Requires emotional grit.
The ability to remain in the conversation when it feels your heart is being attacked.
*Emotional vulnerability. Risk.
Leaning that to hear someone else's heart you must be willing to lead with yours.
*Honoring your heart and honoring theirs. Both in mind.
Realizing it is not a battle to win but an agreement to find.
*A heart to hear as well as be heard/ to understand and be understood.
A willingness to listen first and lead with questions without making to many assumptions.

Here is a scripture that may help: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

That verse lived out has the potential to see the lost art found again.

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