Handling Conflict

How often do we take the opportunity to tell someone how we feel when we think that they have done us wrong? Do we think it is our duty or our right to let a person who has scorned us know how we feel? And even so, when we confront that person, are we gentle and calm or do we feel the need to just let them have it? The reason why I ask these questions is because I think if we really want the world to change, we have to start by looking at the way we handle conflict. Proverbs 15: 1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger". Most of us go by how we feel first, before we think about what we are saying. But, in our evolving society, if we want to become wise people, we should think first, then speak.

Most of the time when we have gotten our feelings hurt, or we feel like we have not been treated fairly, it has something to do with us, not the other person. There is something inside us that we need to deal with, but it is easier to blame someone else rather than to look inside ourselves to see what needs to be addressed. The hardest thing in the world to do is sit back, not say anything at all or speak healing words that give life, when we think another person, or other people, are getting away with something that they have done wrong. But, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life..." Proverbs 15:4.

It is a wise person who accepts correction. Not only the correction of others, but also the correction of ourselves. When we look inside ourselves and understand that it is our ideas and beliefs that make us feel upset when think we have been wronged, then, we will have the wisdom of knowing that there are deeper issues that are inside of us that have to be dealt with. It is hard to accept correction from others, but it is even harder to accept correction from ourselves, because then we have to admit to ourselves that there is something inside of us that has to change. But, once we deal with those issues and find Real Truth, that is wealth, that is prosperity, that is riches and gold, these are the treasures stored in the house of a good person that will not rust, decay, or spoil. Our words should spread knowledge and Truth, but before we can do that we have to be honest with ourselves, because Truth comes from honest people and Love from those who do what is right.

Our goal in life should be to bring happiness to others and make them smile, because, "A happy heart is like a continual feast", Proverbs 15:15. If we all lived with the philosophy that we would rather be poor and live with respect for others, than to be wealthy and live in turmoil, the world wouldn't be in the shape it is now. If we were all the kind of people who controlled our tempers and stopped our quarrels; if we were more honest with ourselves about our beliefs and ideas, then life would be more like a smooth highway than a bumpy road. If we could bring joy to our world, then our plans for the future would not fail. It is up to us to help each other, to give, as well as to receive.

I am desperately wanting people to understand that we are in perilous times, there is a fork in the road and it's up to us to chose the smooth highway, not the bumpy road. To come together and be good to one another, now, more than ever. Be the person who says the right word at the right time, be the person who brings kind words and does what is right. Let's bring good news wherever we go so that we will succeed, not only personally, but globally. Let's make others feel good about themselves by letting our happiness show in our eyes when we greet people. And when we feel like we have been wronged in one way or another, lets us look inside, instead of outside for correction to improve our lives and live among the wise. When we improve ourselves and have respect for others, we gain Wisdom and Understanding, which can change the world.

Sindy
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