FACING CONFLICT WITH GOD’S STRENGTH
Life is filled with challenges, and conflict is an inevitable part of the human experience. Whether the conflict arises from personal relationships, professional pressures, or internal struggles, it can often feel overwhelming. However, as believers in God, we are called to face these challenges not in our own strength but in the strength of our relationship with Him. A strong, intimate relationship with God provides not only the peace needed to navigate conflict but also the wisdom, patience, and grace to respond in ways that honor Him.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” ( Proverbs 3: 5 -6 )
This passage emphasizes trusting God’s guidance, assuring us that by surrendering to Him, He will lead us through life’s storms and align us with His will.
Etymology
Hebrew:
רִיב (Riv ):
Refers to a dispute, quarrel, or conflict. It often describes legal disputes or arguments between people.
“Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” ( Psalm 35: 1 )
Greek:
ἀγών (Agon):
This word refers to a struggle, contest, or conflict, often used metaphorically for life’s trials, spiritual battles, or striving to ward a goal.
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
( Corinthians 9: 24 )
μάχομαι (Machomai):
Refers to to fight or battle—it speaks to more direct, physical, or personal conflict.
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?
( James 4: 1 )
Different types of life Conflicts Manifest:
Internal Conflict:
These are struggles within ourselves, such as dealing with guilt, fear, or doubt. Believers are called to rely on God’s strength and seek His guidance through prayer and His Word to overcome these internal battles.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
( Romans 7: 15 )
Relational Conflict:
Disagreements or misunderstandings with others can lead to tension in relationships, whether with family, friends, or colleagues. God calls us to pursue reconciliation, love, and forgiveness.
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. ( Matthew 18: 15 )
External or Societal Conflict:
This includes struggles against injustice, persecution, or challenges posed by the world. In these moments, believers are reminded to stand firm in their faith and trust God for protection and justice.
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. ( John 16: 33 )
In all these types of conflicts, God offers a way to respond with grace, seeking His strength to persevere and grow spiritually.
The Importance of Cultivating a deep relationship with God
1. The Foundation: Knowing God
A good relationship with God begins with knowing Him. In the Bible, God promises that when we seek Him with our whole hearts, we will find Him. This foundational knowledge of God goes beyond mere intellectual understanding; it is about building a personal, intimate relationship through prayer, worship, and studying His Word.
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ( Jeremiah 29: 13 )
And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. ( John 17: 3 )
A close relationship with God helps us to understand His character, His promises, and His will for our lives. In the midst of conflict, this knowledge can serve as a steady anchor, reminding us that God is with us and will never leave us.
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” ( Hebrews 13: 5 )
2. Trusting in God’s Sovereignty
One of the most vital aspects of our relationship with God is trusting in His sovereignty—that He is in control of all situations, including our conflicts. Trusting God in times of trouble means surrendering our own desires for control and acknowledging that He has a greater purpose even in the midst of difficulties.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to hi purpose for them. ( Romans 8: 28 )
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
( Psalm 46: 10 )
God’s sovereignty assures us that our struggles are not meaningless. They are part of His plan to refine our character and bring us closer to Him. This trust enables us to face conflicts without fear, knowing that God is orchestrating everything for our good.
3. Drawing Strength from God’s Presence
In times of conflict, we often feel weak and inadequate to handle the situation. However, when we have a strong relationship with God, we can draw strength from His presence. God promises to be our refuge and strength, especially when we are overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. ( Psalm 46: 1 )
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. ( Isaiah 40: 29 -31 )
A close walk with God through prayer and dependence on Him enables us to persevere through difficult circumstances. Our reliance on His strength, rather than our own, makes us capable of handling conflict with patience, wisdom, and peace.
4. Responding with Godly Wisdom
When conflicts arise, our natural tendency may be to react out of anger, frustration, or fear. However, a deep relationship with God equips us to respond with wisdom and discernment. God promises to give wisdom generously to those who ask for it.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
( James 1: 5 )Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. ( Proverbs 3: 5 -6 )
By relying on God’s wisdom, we can approach conflicts with a calm and thoughtful mindset, seeking peaceful solutions rather than escalating the situation. God’s guidance helps us to make decisions that reflect His character and bring peace to our hearts and relationships.
5. Peace that Surpasses Understanding
Finally, a good relationship with God brings the peace that only He can provide. In the midst of conflict, the world may offer temporary solutions, but God’s peace transcends circumstances. This peace guards our hearts and minds, enabling us to remain calm, composed, and confident even when the storm rages around us.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ( Philippians 4: 6 -7)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. ( John 14: 27 )
This peace comes from trusting in God’s faithfulness . When we seek Him, He fills us with a peace that face conflicts without being consumed by anxiety, fear, or bitterness.
Walking with God in Times of Conflict
To face conflict with God’s strength, it is essential for believers to walk closely with Him. This walk involves intentional steps that cultivate a deeper relationship with God, enabling us to handle life’s struggles with grace. Below are four key steps that help us walk with God and navigate conflicts in a way that honors Him.
1. Proper Communication with God
Effective communication with God is foundational to walking with Him. It reminds us that we must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. When we communicate with God, it’s important to listen for His guidance and express our hearts to Him through prayer. This helps align our will with His, especially during times of conflict.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ( James 1: 19 )
When we engage in prayer and patiently listen to God, we open ourselves up to His wisdom, which empowers us to respond to conflict with humility and self-control, rather than reacting impulsively.
2. Forgiveness
Forgiveness is vital for maintaining a strong walk with God, especially when facing conflict. Holding onto bitterness or grudges can block our relationship with God and prevent us from experiencing His peace. The Bible teaches that we are to forgive others just as God has forgiven us. This act of forgiveness frees us from the burden of resentment and allows us to respond to conflict with love and grace.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. ( Ephesians 4: 32 )
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. ( Matthew 6: 14 -15 )
Forgiveness is not just a one-time act but a continual process that reflects the heart of God. It releases us from the bondage of unforgiveness and enables us to walk in freedom and peace.
3. Seek Peace
In times of conflict, the Bible calls us to seek peace, not just for ourselves but for others as well. Believers are encouraged to live at peace with everyone, as much as it depends on us. God desires His people to be peacemakers, and this often requires humility, patience, and a willingness to resolve disputes in a way that honors Him.
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. ( Romans 12: 18 )
Seeking peace doesn’t mean avoiding conflict, but rather approaching it with a heart that desires reconciliation and unity. As believers, we are called to take the initiative in making peace, whether it’s through a gentle word, a heartfelt apology, or finding common ground.
4. Love One Another
Love is the foundation of the Christian life, and it is especially crucial in the context of conflict. The nature of love and how it behaves in difficult circumstances. True love, according to God’s standard, is patient, kind, and does not hold grudges. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. When we choose to love others, even in the midst of conflict, we reflect God’s character and create an environment where healing and reconciliation can occur.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ( 1 Corinthians 13: 4 -7 )
By choosing to love, we align ourselves with God’s will, allowing His strength to work in us as we navigate the complexities of human relationships and conflicts. Love enables us to see beyond the immediate frustration and to respond with grace and understanding.
Seven Steps to Resolve It
Jesus' teachings on settling conflict
esus’ teachings on settling conflict emphasize the importance of relationships and reconciliation, especially in the context of worship. The following principles from His teachings highlight how to approach conflict in a way that reflects His strength and leads to healing.
Confess Your Part of the Conflict
Jesus teaches that reconciliation is so important that if you are offering your gift at the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, you should leave your offering, go and be reconciled, and then return to worship. This emphasizes personal responsibility—acknowledging our part in the conflict, even if we feel we are not entirely at fault.
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and of er your sacrifice to God. ( Matthew 5: 23 -24 )
Listen for the Hurt
When facing conflict, it’s crucial to listen carefully and empathetically. The goal is to understand the emotional pain behind the words, rather than merely reacting or defending ourselves.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ( James 1: 19 )
This approach reflects the strength of patience and self-control that comes from the Lord.
Consider Their Perspective
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ( Romans 12: 10 )
This verse highlights the importance of humility and honor in relationships. It urges us to not only seek reconciliation but also to actively consider the needs, feelings, and perspectives of others. By valuing the other person above ourselves, we create an environment where genuine understanding can occur.
Tell the Truth Tactfully
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in everyway more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. ( Ephesians 4: 15 )
Jesus calls us to speak truthfully, but with love and grace. The manner in which we communicate—choosing words carefully and with consideration—can make a big difference in how the other person receives the message.
Fix the Problem, Not the Blame
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. ( Matthew 7: 3 -5 )
Jesus teaches that we should first remove the log from our own eye before pointing out the speck in another’s. In conflict, the focus should be on solving the issue, not assigning blame. The Lord’s strength enables us to take a humble, constructive approach, focusing on healing rather than accusation.
Focus on Reconciliation, Not Resolution
Reconciliation, according to Paul, is at the heart of the Gospel. Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to each other. In conflict, our ultimate goal should not be to “win” or to have every issue perfectly resolved but to restore relationships. This is an expression of the Lord’s work in us, as we become instruments of peace and reconciliation in the world.
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
( 2 Corinthians 5: 18 -19 )