
Life Capsule for Today Date 19/10/24
Theme: Conflict Management (7)
Text: Matt 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. KJV
Topic: Conflict Management in the office and business Place
Today’s Reading: Luke 6:27-31
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. NKJV
Words of the Ministry:
Today we come to the concluding part of our lesson on conflict management as we intend to dedicate it to considering how to manage conflicts in the larger society, we are to consider conflict management in the office and business place. We have previously learnt how to manage conflict in the church, as a couple and among our children. The difference we would be looking at is that the other party unlike what we have previously considered may not be a believer also it may come at a greater cost leading to persecution and it may involve a larger number of persons especially when some colleagues choose to take sides. How then do we mange such a complex conflict situation?
In dealing with conflicts, be it at home, Church or the office, we must realize the devil is trying to gain us just as God is using the same situation to sanctify and transform us. We must be careful not to fall for the wiles of the devil. He tries to introduce, bitterness, hate and unforgiveness, he wants us to be vengeful and gossip. This would eventually affect our relationship with God and our testimony among men and it may eventually affect our effectiveness in soul wining and Christian living.
The first step I like to talk about is prayers, we must learn to pray for them especially when the other party is not saved. Prayer places the burden on God as we can entrust him with the situation, in the course of praying, we may also be enlightened by God to see things in a different perspective, we may even realize we are wrong as the light of God reveals what we should have done differently, praying for the other party also helps to forgive the person as unforgiveness is a possible off shoot of conflict.
The next thing we need to do is love, we must continue to love the other party, although it is very difficult but, today’s reading encourages us to love those that despise us. We must choose to consistently show a pattern of love towards our co-workers as that helps our testimony. While the natural reaction would have been to avoid the individual, we must keep in mind that we are living epistles in all we do. As we desire and take such steps, we also notice we are growing in life
Be at peace, Paul in Rom 12:18-19 said 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. I believe it’s a big task to be at peace with everyone but as much as we can, we should. We should also have learnt to personally confront the other party with a heart of peace and if need be use the provisions made by the office to settlement such disputes. I believe the office most times have such provisions for settling disputes, we should take advantage of such if need be, it may be through the human resources, we should have the courage to seek justice when the situation warrants.
In conclusion, our goal should be conflict resolution while ensuring we keep our testimony. our goal should be to avoid contributing to the problem. Sometimes that means staying clear of situations that will lead to confrontations. Other times it may mean not responding in kind to sharp words or sneaky actions. It always means not holding a grudge for previous wrongs that have been resolved. We can only try as much as we can to be peaceful with our neighbors but should the other party insist and is not willing, we can’t force a relationship. We can only pray for such person, trusting God for an encounter. Please join us on the 27th of October for Peniel Encounter, shalom.
Bible in One Year: Mark 14-16
For further fellowship send us an email on godmanvideos@gmail.com or visit our youtube channel: @godmanmedia. You can also interact with us by dropping your comments on our facebook page. Our physical meeting, Word feast comes up every Wednesday by 5pm and Prayer Gym every Saturday by 7am while PENIEL comes up once a month, every last Sunday of the month from 4pm to 6.30pm at Suite A10, Ahser Office Complex, beside Living Faith Church, Opposite Hassan Stores, Arab Road, Kubwa Abuja.