The Bible is completely realistic about the challenges we face in our relationships. In Romans 12:18, it says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” The truth is, it isn’t always possible to be at peace with everyone, but we need to make sure that we do our best to make that happen. Some people are easy to love; other people—not so much. How can we navigate conflict in a way that leads to greater harmony rather than greater alienation?
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You Drive Me Crazy
Rethinking Your Reactions
April 12, 2015
by Mark Stuenzi
Relationships are messy and wonderful. Some of the best experiences we have in life happen in the context of our relationships. Likewise, some of the most painful situations revolve around those same relationships. The starting point for healthy conflict resolution is to reject your natural response and determine to please God in the way you deal with the conflict.
Deal with It!
April 19, 2015
by Mark Stuenzi
There are two common responses to conflict: escape or attack. Escaping is easier, and attacking feels better. But the Bible gives a much better alternative—have an honest, loving, wise conversation. Done correctly, Biblical confrontation is at the exact intersection of loving grace and unvarnished truth.
That's Close Enough
April 26, 2015
by Mark Stuenzi
Many of our relationships struggle because we don't understand the need for boundaries. We wrestle with the tension of loving everyone as Jesus would love them and the need to keep some distance from people who have the potential to cause us to stumble. There are certain things you can do for people, and other things you can never do for people no matter how much you love them. Carrying their burdens means loving them and praying for them…it doesn’t mean changing them.
Let It Go
May 3, 2015
by Mark Stuenzi
In some relationships, the hurt is so deep that our disappointment and frustration hardens into bitterness. In Ephesians 4:25-32, the Apostle Paul gives us some great wisdom fro healing those relational and emotional wounds. Paul comes to the crescendo of this passage and tells us to replace our bitterness with forgiveness.