Stand Up, Speak Up, In Love

Good Morning!! Tempers flare, conflicts do occur, and can cause disastrous results,...if not properly managed. Attitude can make all the difference in the world. One option in dealing with conflict is an "I'll get you" attitude. "I win and you lose because I am right and you are wrong." This is a power play, and shows little or no love. Another option says, "I'll get out. I'm uncomfortable, so I'll withdraw from the conflict." And you storm from the room with nothing more to say, and nothing solved. "I'll give in. I'll be nice and submit to your demands so you'll love me." You become a doormat who is smiling … but frustrated. That's me way too often.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.—Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

And still another way is; "I'll meet you halfway. I have only half of the truth and I need your half." This is the attitude of creative compromise,...but these two half-truths may not equal the real, or whole truth. But the most fruitful attitude is; "I care enough to confront. I want to have a healthier, respectful, and honest relationship with you. I want you to know where I stand,...and what I am feeling, needing, valuing and wanting." This attitude invites to be open to change,...without demanding it.

The Bible calls this speaking the truth, in love. 

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Father God, help us when we're facing conflict. Help us to have the right attitude,…to always reflect the love of Christ. Help us to speak the truth in love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

"The end of adolescence does not signal the end of peer influence,
...our friends, the people we work with, the people we choose to hang out with,
...all help to shape us throughout our lives."