Human conflict is something we all deal with everyday. How we handle it seems to constantly change. As Disciples of Christ we are to always react with love. Obviously that is much easier said then done. So how do we worship God through our interactions with people who don’t lift us up. I guess the answer is to try. When people get mad at us, yell at us, or refer to us in a condescending manner, it is hard to react in love. I know because I, like all human beings, have a problem doing this. I tend to argue back, alienate them, or simply write them off saying that what they say means nothing. The problem is, it that it does mean something. It hurts, it wounds, and it affects the way we dialogue with the person in the future.
I have these kinds of encounters probably just has much as anyone, and how I react is not always Holy, actually most are unholy reactions. Sometimes when someone puts me down I react by attempting to put them down, sometimes I try to be “better” then them. This doesn’t solve anything, it just makes it worst. Sometimes I’ll tell other people about how mean or even unholy the person is, instead of making things better, I stain myself with sin. We all do this to a certain extent, but how do we stop our instincts.
The only two answers I have been able to come up with are prayer and a good friend. I find it healthy to have one (sometimes two) friend to talk to about these unfriendly encounters. I get to vent without gossiping, and usually it helps me realise that what really matters is what God thinks. The other way is to pray, and I don’t mean to pray ‘that God leads the person to see the truth’, because that actually does no one any good. Instead prayer for your relationship with the person, and pray that you can love them has Jesus loves them.
Anger and frustration are not bad, but what you do with them can be problematic.
Finding ways to deal hopefully and lovingly to hatred, anger, frustration and bitterness: that lies at the heart of WORSHIP.
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