By Karen M. Leet
1. Listen first. Hear the other person’s viewpoint without interrupting or arguing.
2. Try to see the other point of view. How would you feel if you were in their shoes?
3. Be patient as the other person expresses views.
4. Think before you speak. Then state your view calmly.
5. Be respectful. No matter how much you disagree, treat the other person with respect. Remind yourself that God loves that other person the same way God loves you.
6. Pray! Before, during, and after any confrontation or disagreement, ask God to guide you and help you to resolve conflicts.
7. Look for compromise. Prayerfully try to find a way to settle things that’s fair to both sides.
8. Keep your faith in God. In trying to understand and to compromise, don’t give up on the things you know are right.
9. Forgive. If someone says something unkind, ask God to help you forgive. Don’t hold a grudge.
10. Be a peacemaker. As much as possible, try to get along with others. Even if a conflict doesn’t work out the way you hoped, keep asking for God’s help.
Photo Credit: Comstock/Thinkstock.
From Pockets: For Kids Who Love God, May 2012. Copyright © 2012 by The Upper Room. Used by permission.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
What is the policy about reprinting this list in our church newsletter, with attribution of course. Our church is dealing with the issues of forgiveness and reconciliation. We need to begin an open discussion if we are to get “unstuck” and move forward. Wish I could make the current issue of “Alive Now” required reading for all of us.
Jane
Hi, Janet,
So glad you like this article. I’m sure it would be fine to reprint it, but since it is a secondary source (We were quoting from another source), just send your request to the Pockets Magazine folks: pockets@upperroom.org
I’m really glad Alive Now is helpful to you and your church members.
Many blessings!
Beth Richardson
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