subject: Conflict Used To Glorify God [print this page] All believers fightAll believers fight. Shocked? They may not yell, scream, hit or throw things -- although I know believers who have. Instead they will use sarcasm, pout, withdraw, criticize, ignore, manipulate, control, shame, utilize guilt trips, shift blame, deny, and unfavorably compare. These are just a few ways both believers and nonbelievers fight. How, you may ask, can this type of un-Christ-like behavior glorify God? It is not the sinful behavior that radiates praise back to God. It is something else related to the conflict.
An angry conflict can reveal a wrong pattern of behavior that may have been entrenched for years. It can be a deep-seated habit. Others may even characterize you by it. It is you, and it is wrong. Have you ever heard someone refer to their mate, boss or child by saying, "He has a short fuse? In reality, he may have a short fuse because he is long on bitterness. "Oh, George just has a temper, you may hear. No, George does not have a temper. He may have a bitter, unforgiving spirit that has become his identity -- part of his personality. Two of our Lords disciples, James and John, were known for their tempers. They were called the sons of thunder (Mark 3:17). They had no qualms about expressing their anger. They even requested permission to command fire to come down from heaven and consume some Samaritans who had rejected them (Luke 9:54).
This book will help you to identify and correct ten of the most common sources of anger that I have observed in our counseling ministry. Our primary focus will be the family; whether it is a traditional, blended or single-parent home. These top ten anger sources are:
Impatience
Discipline
Controlling
Favoritism
Rejection
Criticism
Perfectionism
Unforgiveness
Irresponsibility
Overprotection
Selfishness
Yet, when God takes control of any of these ten sinful patterns of relating and radically changes that person, others are amazed. They press to understand what happened. After hearing how submission to Christ, combined with honest confession and genuine repentance, resulted in a marked life change, believers instantly exclaim, "Praise the Lord. God is indeed glorified!
In summary, anger can be an unusual doorway to harmony. Anger may be one indication of conflicts presence. Welcome anger as a friend of the family. View your problems or conflicts as opportunities to grow in your family relationship, and bring Gods peace into your home. It will help you pinpoint where you are in your relationships just as an x-ray aids your doctor in determining your physical need. Conflict, characterized by the presence of anger, can serve as a motivator for growth in at least three areas: words, actions and attitudes.
This is an excerpt from my e-book, God's Peace In Your Home. For a free chapter, visit the site listed!
