Enduring with Christ
When conflict comes, for many their instinct is to run away. To withdraw, avoid, or look for a quick solution just to ease the discomfort. At PeaceWise, we call this an “escape response” on the slippery slope of conflict. It feels safer to run away than to stay present in the tension.
Yet scripture gently calls us to a very different response.
In Romans 5:3-4 we are reminded that,
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
Romans 5:3-4 (NLT)
Rather than backing away, we are invited to turn and run to Jesus. It is an invitation to put our faith in Jesus into action. Stepping into courage means choosing to endure and choosing to turn toward him instead of away from the problem and what we might feel is easier. As we do, our character is shaped. Our perspective shifts from focusing solely on the issue in front of us to including God and asking what he might be doing in the midst of it.
Conflict is not simply an obstacle to overcome. It can become an invitation – an opportunity to grow in endurance, deepen our character, strengthen our hope in Christ and glorify God in the process.
How would your conflict look different if you saw it not as a problem to be overcome, but as an invitation to build character and glorify God?
For those who want to go deeper, check out the tools section in the PeaceWise app to learn more about the slippery slope of conflict, and how we can choose peacemaking responses rather than running away.
This devotion was written by Wendy Konemann and prepared for publication with the PeaceWise team.
Wendy is passionate about peacemaking and connecting people to Jesus in the midst of their hurt and pain, providing practical tools to navigate conflict. She has a Bacherlor’s degree in Applied Psychology (Counselling), training and experience in inner healing and trauma work, is a conflict coach, mediator and trainer. Wendy currently lives in Hong Kong with her husband Jeff who is working for Cathay Pacific. She loves hiking, reading and eating amazing Cantonese food!
The slippery slope tool referenced in this devtion is the work of Ken Sande. PeaceWise thanks Ken Sande, author of The Peacemaker for permission to use/adapt that work.
