Whether it’s in marriage, friendships, family, church relationships, community organizations or neighbors, disagreements will happen from time to time. The reality is just because we become a Christian doesn’t make us perfect. It doesn’t make those in our marriage, church or neighborhood perfect either. We still have that human nature to contend with
Sometimes it is simply that someone has had a bad day, and the pressure has built up as things have gone wrong till finally they snap. Sometimes it is words misunderstood or misheard. Sometimes it’s because one person isn’t listening. This is often caused by one person who is so sure they’re right, which means everyone who doesn’t agree with them must be wrong.
So how do we handle it when disagreements occur?
The solution as far as some people are concerned is simply to avoid the person who is part of the problem. The trouble is this doesn’t really deal with the problem. It also makes it hard in a church situation for example, if other people are expected to take sides. If you talk to one person, then you can’t still be friends with the other person involved in the disagreement. This is the type of response and reasoning children use in playground situations and friendships. As adults we should be able to co-exist without resorting to this level.
Let me tell you, it’s hard to be the one caught in the middle who wants to remain friendly with both parties. You feel rather like it’s a tug of war. Yes, I’ve been in that position with friends who divorced and other situations as well.
Some people have even left churches because of a disagreement with another person in the congregation or even with the minister. Sadly this often results in the person thinking they don’t need to go to church to be a Christian and finding excuses not to go back to that church or any other church.
Join me next week as I look at some more helpful ways to deal with disagreements.
The Church Is Full Of Hypocrites
What a Difference It Would Make