This Sunday we explored the Art of Self Reflection in Conflict at Elevation. As an application we emailed the whole body a tool that my staff and I wrote to help the body invite God into the process of self evaluation. An idea we found for saving on wasted printed materials (and more importantly trees) is to send a Constant Contact email flyer of these types of application projects so they arrive during the service and are ready for them to use when they get home. We use Constant Contact for all our E-mailings it looks great, is inexpensive and fast. In fact we've used it to such great extent that we have never yet "postal" mailed anything to our people. Here is the conflict tool, use it if it's helpful to you.THE CONFLICT NAVIGATOR
First:Pray this Passage
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:23-24Next: Ask yourself and / or Jesus a few questions: What is the real issue Lord? What started this problem? Did I handle the conflict to the best of my ability? What fighting style have I been using in this conflict? How has my sarx (the sin nature) shown itself in this conflict? How have I sinned in this? What is my role in the solution and resolution? Have I been absolutely truthful with this person and myself? Have I retreated from the situation or person and not dealt with the issue fully? Are words have I spoken to the other person that were unkind or harsh, what were they? Jesus, what do you ask me to do about this? Jesus, what things would you say to the other person in the conflict if you were me? Am I harboring contempt or bitterness for this person over another (unaddressed) issue? How have my actions (overtly or covertly) harmed the other person? Have I blown the conflict out of proportion and let it cripple / ruin our relationship? Have I really considered their point of view? What is their side of the story? Am I more concerned with 'winning' than loving this person? What more do I need to do to resolve the conflict / repair the relationship? What would you have me do next Lord? Now LISTEN: Through the Word: Ask God to speak to you through his Word and read:
Matthew chapters 5-7 Sermon on the Mount - Ask, “Jesus what do you want me to do, what attitude are you calling me to?”Read this passage and ask if it is totally true of you in this situation or if you have more reflecting to do
Psalm 119:59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. Finally: Plan a time and place to meet with the person about the issue
