“The first step in evaluating how to handle a conflict is to ask yourself this question: How can I please God in this situation?”  These are the words Paul Cornwell from Peacemaker Ministries shared with us Saturday morning.  I was totally taken aback.  I had to stop and think about the conflicts I had experienced lately and figure out if I had asked myself this question.  I couldn’t remember if I had at all.  In fact I am pretty sure I had not.  At least not intentionally.  But it is easily the most important step in the process because it sets the tone for how the rest of your conflict will be handled. Now I am the type of person that will honestly just try to start handling the conflict to get it done and over with.  But this is most often not the most God honoring solution.  In fact, it probably tends to exasperate the problem if I am completely honest with myself.  So my way of handling conflict was more often contrary to glorifying God.

So how do I glorify God in a conflict?  Well Paul had a great answer for us.  There are three things you need to ask yourself to discover if you are glorifying God in the midst of conflict:

1. Am I Trusting Him?
   • Am I letting go and giving this conflict to God and allowing Him to lead me and give me strength to handle this conflict as He desires?
2. Am I Obeying Him?
   • Am I studying scripture and using the tools He has given me to use in resolving this conflict?
3. Am I Imitating Him?
   • Am I following the example Christ left for us?  Am I being humble, slow to anger and soft in my speech?

The one that hits me the most is the last one.  Am I truly imitating Christ in my approach to being a peacemaker?  Something Paul said that i won’t forget is that: “Peace has everything to do with representing Christ in the world”

Lord, allow me to be a peacemaker.  As I engage in conflict resolution, help me to pause and make sure that I am glorifying your name, that I am truly representing You.

SK