Managing Conflict; Consecrating Ourselves W09


I think that managing conflict and consecrating ourselves go together. As we consecrate ourselves, we will be able to better manage conflict. When conflict arises in my relationships, I know that I can get defensive and upset which does not do any good for the relationship. As I consecrate myself and become more selfless and giving, I manage conflict in a much more peaceful and positive way.
If I go back to the times that I have been confronted with conflict and I have dealt with it in a negative way, I know that I was being selfish and that I was not willing to listen to the other person. Being willing to hear what the other person’s perspective is and letting them know that you are listening and see their point of view can have a huge positive impact on the relationship. Many conflicts require sacrifice and compromise. Some conflicts can’t be solved easily due to personality differences. However, if we are willing to listen to them and see from their perspective, the conflict will become much less tense.
H. Wallace Goddard states in his book “Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage”, “Consecration is a covenant that moves us from asking how we can get our needs met to asking how we can bless and serve. We become more grateful. Rather than wondering if this marriage is a good investment that will pay us a handsome return, we ask for heavenly grace that we may love and serve as Jesus served- without thought of reward. While there are destructive relationships that should end, the vast majority of relationships can survive and flourish if each of us brings our whole soul as an offering (see Omni 1: 26)”
When we live the law of consecration in relationships, we are becoming more Christlike. This helps to invite the Spirit and God’s help into a marriage. The Lord wants marriages to work out and He will do all he can to guide it, but we must be willing to do our part. We must give things up and serve the other. We must be selfless and giving. These things are not simple to do. Sometimes it is not easy to give things up, but it will be worth it, and God will help you to have the strength to do what needs to be done in order to better a relationship.

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