Parkway Church

Conflict is a part of life. We experience stress, anger, hurt, and division in our relationships even as we live The Good Life. In fact, conflict can be used by God to lead us to the good life when we handle it correctly. Discover how bad times of conflict can be good for our lives.

My Response is My Responsibility

What is your first response to conflict?
Engage It - Run from It - Stuff It

Big Idea #1: I am responsible for my response. No one can make me do anything.

Check Heart to Make Relationship Better

Bitter never makes things better.
Malice = desire to do evil - rage, anger, brawling, slander

When we engage in unhealthy conflict, things that we don’t want in our relationships surface - moments of bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and saying bad things to and about each other.

Big Idea #2: What is buried in my heart will come out in bitterness or kindness.

How do we live with compassion and forgiveness rather than bitterness and malice?
Own It: Keep short accounts. - If you can’t overlook it, then talk about it.
Release It: If you overlook it and work through it; no circle backs
Forgive It: Release because the grace of God has released you. - Forgive as you have been forgiven.

Choose Your Words and Your Tone

Anger will never, ever produce what you want. Anger won’t produce obedient kids. Anger won’t produce an intimate marriage. Anger won’t produce united, hardworking teammates. Anger never produces what you or God desires.

QUICK to LISTEN: Listen for and communicate feelings instead of getting defensive and fighting over facts.
SLOW to SPEAK: Don’t talk until you can bring GOOD to the conversation.
SLOW to BECOME ANGRY: Remember, sinful anger only HURTS.

Big Idea #3: Because sinful anger only divides, I will choose my words and tone to bring reconciliation to my relationships.

Surprise with Your Response

Big Idea #4: Show with your response that you are committed to this relationship. You value it and will put in the effort to make it work.