I came across this quote recently, and it gave me a chuckle:. Broadly speaking, squabbles between siblings, regardless of age, come with the territory! Perhaps not, all interpersonal relationships are susceptible to the threat of things going sour. Human experience shows that the closer the proximity between people, the higher the chances of conflict or misunderstanding; learning how to navigate those difficult situations therefore becomes a necessary skill in our everyday interactions.
Corporate entities offer training on conflict management at a professional level, and we do well to take advantage of such opportunities as and when required. However, the stakes are higher for those who profess faith in Christ, irrespective of the relational setting.
Rather, it requires some deliberate effort and wisdom to know when to keep silent and when to speak up. It may sometimes mean choosing not to stoke the fire of a potential conflict, while at other times, holding back may prove to be a costlier price to pay. Sooner or later, we will, out of Christian duty and love, need to broach difficult and uncomfortable conversations, and in those moments, how and why we go about it become the true test of Christian character. Sometimes, our pride gets in the way, and provides the primary motivation for seeking redress; other times, we would rather not put up with an inconvenience any longer, and so we wield our words solely to secure our personal comfort and benefit.
But what if we looked beyond ourselves to seek the glory of God and the good of others? What if our goal were more restorative than punitive? What if, in our speech, we sought that delicate balance of grace and truth? To be clear, none of the above alternatives comes easy, but are they worth some serious consideration? If we are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, then I would think so.
Having been at the receiving end of a necessary rebuke, wisely and lovingly done, I can tell that while it did hurt in the moment, the long-term effect was well worth the effort. Not only was I helped to see my sin for what it really was, my trust and admiration for the other party grew, knowing that they would risk an established friendship for a greater good of restoring an errant friend.
