Home Page of ACTS International
Home Page of ACTS InternationalHow to Find and Know God without having to be religiousLife Help Articles dealing with faith, family, and practical helps for purposeful livingDaily and Weekend Encounters with more than a third-of-a-million worldwide subscribersSupport the Work of ACTS International a not-for-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible for U.S. donorsCurrent report on the ministries and services of ACTS InternationalOnline Store of ACTS ... ACTS CommunicationsAbout ACTS International
         
     
   
 
  Site Map Email Share and/or Bookmark
   
   

Add Daily Encounter to your website without charge

Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Friday, June 6, 2008


Resolving Conflict Creatively, Part IV

"Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil."1

A ninth step in resolving anger is to give up the right to always be right. People who have a compulsion to always be right are very insecure and immature. Be willing to say, "I was wrong. I apologize." As the Apostle Paul points out, we are not only to speak the truth in love but also to grow up in all areas of our Christian life—both are essential for effective communications and creative conflict management.

Tenth, as the Bible also teaches, "Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil." In other words, resolve conflict and anger as quickly as possible. And, by the way, my anger is not a demon as some want to blame. The anger is all mine but when I fail to resolve it (like all negative emotions), I give "a mighty foothold to the Devil." When I resolve my anger, the devil loses his foothold and is defeated.

Eleventh, speak softly. Probably most of us tend to raise our voices when we are ticked off. However, keep in mind that research has shown that one effective way to handle yellers is to speak softly. This tends to make them lean forward and speak softer so they can hear what you are saying. Remember that yelling begets yelling! Also, as Michel de Montaigne said, "He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak."

Twelfth, pray. First pray about yourself. One of the most powerful prayers I ever learned to pray was when I was at wit's end in a seemingly hopeless conflict. In utter frustration I begged God to face me with the truth of what I was still contributing to the mess I was in. What years of counseling failed to achieve, prayer did in two weeks. I saw my hopeless co-dependency (even though I hadn't even heard of the word at the time). Only when I saw the reality of what I was contributing was I able to resolve my part in the conflict. I wish I would have learned to pray this prayer years before—even in Sunday school. Had I done so, I could have saved myself years of needless pain and frustration.

Then pray together. When two people genuinely want to grow through and resolve their conflicts and are willing and want to face the truth about themselves and pray accordingly, I don't think there are too many arguments and conflicts that can't be resolved.

Remember always, "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."2 

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the wonderful principles in your Word that give instructions needed, not only to resolve conflict creatively, but to guide and direct in every aspect of life. Help me to always strive to live by these principles in everything I am and do. Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

RECAP: Here are the twelve steps for resolving conflict creatively:   1. Speak the truth in love.   2. Listen with the heart.   3. Be honest with your true feelings.   4. Use "I" messages.   5. Avoid the blame game.   6. Accept responsibility.   7. Stick to the subject at hand.   8. Confess nobody's sin but your own.   9. Give up the right to always be right.   10. Resolve anger quickly.   11. Speak softly.   12. Pray.

1. Ephesians 4:26–27 (NLT).
2. Psalm 145:18 (NIV).

<:))))>< 

 
  • Next Devotional
  • Previous Devotional

  • 2. To Know God and be sure you're a real
        Christian click on:

    3. Donate: To help send Daily Encounter
        without charge to people around the world
        click on:

    4. To send today's Daily Encounter to a friend
        click on:

    Email

    5. To share your faith in a simple, attractive
        way with a friend click on:

    6. For today's featured article click on:

    7. This week's chuckle as seen "On the Lighter
        Side"  on Weekend Encounter click on:

    8. Change Address of your subscription to
        Daily Encounter
    click on:

       
        Back to Return to previous page Previous Page    
       
    Site Map   Top
       
         
             
    Find Peace With God footer
     
      ARTICLES
    About God
    About Faith
    Relationships
    Success/Failure
    Solutions
    Recovery
    Ask the Teacher
    Better Living Tips
    Friendship
    Words of Love
    Words of Inspiration
    People Power for Jesus
    Simple and Effective Witnessing for Christ

    SITE TRANSLATIONS
    Spanish Espanol
    French Francois

      DEVOTIONS
    Devotionals
    Daily Encounter
    Weekend Encounter
    Encuentros Diarios
    Archives
    Subscribe
    When God Is Silent
    Prayer Partners
      Needed

    Special Needs

    BIBLE HELPS
    Helps and Studies
    Today's Reading
    Annual Reading

      QUOTES AND TESTS
    Today's Quotes
    Happiness Test
    Stress Test

    ACTS IN ACTION

    ACTS Websites
    ACTS in Action Report

    COMMUNICATIONS

    Syndicate ACTS Articles
    "I Hate Witnessing"
       Audio—No Charge

    Opening Closed Minds
    Effective Communications
    Jesus, the Communicator
    Punching Holes in
       the Darkness

      REPORTS
    About ACTS
    Be an ACTS Friend

    MISC.
    People Power Invite
    Links
    Weather
    Privacy Policy
    Snail-Mail List
    Contact Us/Feedback

    ACTS BOOKSTORE
    Online Bookstore


    Site Map
    Report problems to ACTS International
    All pages in this site © Copyright 2005-2024 by ACTS International
    P.O. Box 73545, San Clemente, CA 92673 U.S.A.
     
    HOME   Daily Encounter  Find Peace With God