Have you ever tried to spend quality time with family only for it to end up in arguments and hurt feelings? I’m sure we all have. I believe this is one reason that so many families often avoid such quality time. But I see things a bit different.
Today as we attempted some family time, at first all was well. Everyone was happy and having fun, then suddenly someone was mad. The atmosphere shifted and things grew precarious. The reason this person said they were mad was clearly not the real reason…what was really happening was that Chris was about to have to leave for work again. He’s gone a week at a time, and each time I see the kids struggle with it in different ways.
It would have been easy to see this blowup and confront it with the same negative energy, but that’s never helpful. It would have also been easy to just confront it and ground that person…also not helpful in this situation. Instead, we let it go for a bit. Then after emotions fell back down, we were able to talk.
We need the conflicts and resolutions within our families to build stronger familial bonds. People argue. Sometimes we fight. But when you are part of a family, you must eventually resolve this.
Have you noticed the way the world is at odds? It’s as if the two sides no nothing about how to deal with conflicts and resolutions. In fact, one side in particular likes to paint those who don’t agree with them as sworn enemies who must simply be squashed…or re-programmed.
It was never meant to be this way.
It’s in our conflicts that we all grow and mature. Family requires compromise. Marriage does too…although these days people seem to have forgotten that as well.
We must learn how to allow for others to sometimes disagree with us. None of us is always right. Sorry, but that’s just the truth. Humility is a true gift in this day and hour. We need to be wrapped in it.
The Bible says to live at peace with one another, as much as it depends on you.
Sometimes, you meet someone who refuses to let you live at peace with them…what do you do then?
We must work to live at peace with others, but if that peace is absolutely impossible…which is very rare…then we must be willing to walk away and allow God to do as He will. We don’t always have to have the last word. We don’t always have to prove ourselves to be right. Sometimes we must find the humility to walk away.
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:18
365 Days in the Presence 