How to Deal with Personal Conflict

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-10

In speaking before a Chicago audience in 1899, Theodore Roosevelt spoke of the benefits of conflict for personal progress. “I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life,” the sturdy Roosevelt said. “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

That is good advice for Christians as well. Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). More than anyone, Christians should be realists about trouble. We have an adversary, the devil, who is committed to our harassment; a world system ordered by principles directly opposed to Scripture; and the power of sin that is still around in our mortal bodies to lead us down the wrong road.

Problems are the norm, not the exception. Accepting that reality is the starting point, and you will be in good position to successfully deal with your conflicts.

“Our antagonist is our helper. He that wrestles with us strengthens our muscles, sharpens our skill.” -Edmund Burke