“There are only two choices when it comes to conflict…You can choose to manage it or you can let conflict manage you!”  — by Brad Kuechler, M.A.

1 John 4:41 John 4:4
English: World English Bible - WEB
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

WP-Bible plugin – Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world!

A college student decided to mess around with his roommate one day.  He took some limburger cheese and spread it under his friends nose while he was sleeping.  When he woke up he said “This room stinks.”  He walked out in the hallway and said “This hallway stinks.” Then he proceeded to go outside to escape the smell and said, “The whole world stinks.”

In contrast we can not escape conflict.  No matter where we go the world sinks of conflict.  The reason?  Conflict started in heaven with the rebellion of satan, it broke out in the Garden of Eden and it is found if EVERY story of the bible.  Think about that for a moment.  If every story of the bible is a story of triumph through conflict then perhaps conflict isn’t is bad as we might think it is.

What we think about conflict will determine how we handle conflict.  If we think conflict is bad then we will respond by running from it, fighting against it or making friends with it.  Conflict helps us trust God and shows us that there is one who is greater than all of lives challenges.

The bible teaches us that God has created us to bring peace to an unpeaceful world.  In fact God calls the gospel “The Gospel Of Peace!” (Romans 10:15Romans 10:15
English: World English Bible - WEB
15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

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Did you know that you have the capacity to manage every conflict that comes your way.  As John says “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world!” (1 John 4:41 John 4:4
English: World English Bible - WEB
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

WP-Bible plugin)   John reminds us that in contrast to the world being against us that there is someone working for us.  That someone is God the Holy Spirit.  Remember, if you are born again, you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you and fighting for you.

Again…remember, “You can manage conflict or you can let conflict manage you!”