This is part of a journal entry series for a class. Topics are addressed along with our image of God-- how the topic affects our image of God, how our image of God affects our life.
“Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.”
--William James, American Psychologist and Philosopher
The inevitable, conflict typically occurs in the midst of relationships. It can either be avoided or engaged. Conflict involves people attempting to navigate the perilous points of relationships, which is difficult. Our human tendency to avoid conflict can actually result in greater conflict versus addressing issues upfront as they arise. I generally try to approach conflict by facing it, because I do not mind conflict.
Just because I do not typically avoid conflict, however, does not mean I seek it like caffeine junkies hunt out their roasted blend. I think my view of conflict is pretty positive. You want change, transformation, improvement— you will have conflict. When properly understood and handled, conflict can be a happy thing. I know that sounds oxymoronic, but it can result in deeper relationships and personal transformation (for everyone involved). Conflict can be a loving action.
Thus, my image of God captures Him in the midst of conflict. He did not avoid conflict. He questioned Adam and Eve in the Garden. He set the boundaries. Repeatedly, he sent prophets to Israel and called them to repent. The Prophets were continually immersed in conflict! Job desires to state his case before God. Although, we do not hear God’s voice until the last chapter (excluding the prologue), God is not avoiding Job. Simply, He is sovereign and does not need to explain Himself to Job.
We also see Jesus in conflict with others at times: demons, Pharisees/Sadducees, temple merchants, Disciples, and himself. His conflicts ranged from start to small to large to finish. Jesus warns his disciples that there will be conflict. Conflict is pictured throughout the Bible finally arriving at force in Revelations. Conflict is inevitable for God as well, because it is in the midst of relationship— rebellious angels and fallen humanity.
So why would I think that I am any less immune? Thus, I need to respond like Jesus. One of my favorite examples is Jesus calling the religious leaders a “brood of vipers.” A great desire exists within me to call “a spade, a spade,” and “a jerk, a jerk.” Recognizably, this is necessary at times.
However, this is also the trap of my humanity and demonstrates a necessity for conflict to be navigated with discernment, wisdom and compassion. Within the midst of conflict, Jesus loved people. Sometimes, I would rather tie a millstone around their necks.
Yet, conflict is necessary because it involves saying difficult things and brings conviction. The Holy Spirit brings conflict into my life, out of grace, love, and truth. Our triune God invokes conflict for our benefit: transforming our relationships, making us Holy, and shaping our lives to be like Jesus. He does not avoid conflict or writes us off in the midst of it, but embraces us with the security of a relationship in spite of conflict.
Jesus experienced conflict at the Garden, but offered his life in obedience. I feel compelled to do the same while acknowledging conflict is formative, yet difficult. However, I must be careful not to put myself in the seat of divinity. Sometimes immediate or positive results are unrealized. Thus, it needs to be tempered with truth and love. In addressing conflict, it is easy for me to sit in God’s divinity rather than exist in the corpus of God’s humanity.
I prefer bringing conflict versus receiving conflict. Receiving it reminds me of my imperfection. However, I would rather have conflict and deeper relationships than the abandonment of avoidance. It forces me to address what is wrong in my lives, and to journey with others. In essence, I am okay with conflict, and God is okay with conflict. God uses conflict to bring transformation and tempers it with truth and love. He is doing that in my life and teaching me to do the same.
--William James, American Psychologist and Philosopher
The inevitable, conflict typically occurs in the midst of relationships. It can either be avoided or engaged. Conflict involves people attempting to navigate the perilous points of relationships, which is difficult. Our human tendency to avoid conflict can actually result in greater conflict versus addressing issues upfront as they arise. I generally try to approach conflict by facing it, because I do not mind conflict.
Just because I do not typically avoid conflict, however, does not mean I seek it like caffeine junkies hunt out their roasted blend. I think my view of conflict is pretty positive. You want change, transformation, improvement— you will have conflict. When properly understood and handled, conflict can be a happy thing. I know that sounds oxymoronic, but it can result in deeper relationships and personal transformation (for everyone involved). Conflict can be a loving action.
Thus, my image of God captures Him in the midst of conflict. He did not avoid conflict. He questioned Adam and Eve in the Garden. He set the boundaries. Repeatedly, he sent prophets to Israel and called them to repent. The Prophets were continually immersed in conflict! Job desires to state his case before God. Although, we do not hear God’s voice until the last chapter (excluding the prologue), God is not avoiding Job. Simply, He is sovereign and does not need to explain Himself to Job.
We also see Jesus in conflict with others at times: demons, Pharisees/Sadducees, temple merchants, Disciples, and himself. His conflicts ranged from start to small to large to finish. Jesus warns his disciples that there will be conflict. Conflict is pictured throughout the Bible finally arriving at force in Revelations. Conflict is inevitable for God as well, because it is in the midst of relationship— rebellious angels and fallen humanity.
So why would I think that I am any less immune? Thus, I need to respond like Jesus. One of my favorite examples is Jesus calling the religious leaders a “brood of vipers.” A great desire exists within me to call “a spade, a spade,” and “a jerk, a jerk.” Recognizably, this is necessary at times.
However, this is also the trap of my humanity and demonstrates a necessity for conflict to be navigated with discernment, wisdom and compassion. Within the midst of conflict, Jesus loved people. Sometimes, I would rather tie a millstone around their necks.
Yet, conflict is necessary because it involves saying difficult things and brings conviction. The Holy Spirit brings conflict into my life, out of grace, love, and truth. Our triune God invokes conflict for our benefit: transforming our relationships, making us Holy, and shaping our lives to be like Jesus. He does not avoid conflict or writes us off in the midst of it, but embraces us with the security of a relationship in spite of conflict.
Jesus experienced conflict at the Garden, but offered his life in obedience. I feel compelled to do the same while acknowledging conflict is formative, yet difficult. However, I must be careful not to put myself in the seat of divinity. Sometimes immediate or positive results are unrealized. Thus, it needs to be tempered with truth and love. In addressing conflict, it is easy for me to sit in God’s divinity rather than exist in the corpus of God’s humanity.
I prefer bringing conflict versus receiving conflict. Receiving it reminds me of my imperfection. However, I would rather have conflict and deeper relationships than the abandonment of avoidance. It forces me to address what is wrong in my lives, and to journey with others. In essence, I am okay with conflict, and God is okay with conflict. God uses conflict to bring transformation and tempers it with truth and love. He is doing that in my life and teaching me to do the same.
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