It Will Come Around
>> Thursday, November 6, 2008
Do you typically go to God with troubling relationships? Elderedge mentions in the workbook that there is a difference between godly restraint and passive disengagement when we are dealing with troubling relational issues. What would you say is your typical style and timeline for dealing with conflict, hurts, dismissals, etc? Do you ask "is this the time" when thinking of confronting another person about their issues?
2 comments:
I think I tend to vear toward passive disengagment. I really dislike confrontation and the few times I've attempted it, it was a disaster. I confronted a friend once about some issues in our friendship and ended up crying and walking away from the conversation feeling terrible about myself. I really haven't confronted anyone since then, but have had times I thought I should.
I admit I haven't really asked God about it. I haven't really ever asked him "is this the time." I think part of me is afraid he'll say yes and then I'm stuck!
I think that I am basically a big chicken when it comes to initiating any type of "confrontation". In the past I have waited until I thought a "good time" was available, but never actively seeked God in the timing. Basically, I think that my tactic was just avoidance until it was no longer possible to avoid, to be honest.
I have been a second party (planned witness/mediator) in one situation where someone was being confronted about some troubling behaviors, and I really feel that it was a good move on the initiating person to have a witness. I was there to mediate and make sure that they were not jumping to conclusions and hearing each other correctly. If there was a breakdown in communication due to high emotion, I was there to clear the air and point out the positives. Not that it was me, but I really think that having a third party with no motives in the situation was a great move and would probably use that in the future (along with praying to ask God about it all, of course)!
Post a Comment