{"id":530,"date":"2012-03-29T09:33:06","date_gmt":"2012-03-29T13:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/askandy\/?p=530"},"modified":"2014-07-25T13:40:03","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T17:40:03","slug":"what-is-one-simple-way-to-minimize-conflict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/4twelve\/what-is-one-simple-way-to-minimize-conflict\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is One Simple Way to Minimize Conflict?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cLove\u2026is ever ready to believe the best of every person\u2026\u201d <\/em>(1 Cor. 13:7)\u00a0Much conflict can be avoided by following this simple principle. It\u2019s a basic, but often difficult one to live by. \u00a0Another way to say it is: assume positive intention<\/strong>.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

If I am to love God and love my neighbor\u00a0(those I am around; Matthew 22:37-39), then assuming positive intention on the part of another human being is a reflection on how I am doing at loving God.\u00a0 As I understand God\u2019s love, I am motivated to love others.\u00a0 This means assuming positive intention, and acting accordingly. Is this easy? Hardly.<\/p>\n

Loving others does not mean there will never be conflict, nor is the goal to have a conflict-free life.\u00a0 But living by God\u2019s word does ensure the path to minimizing and overcoming conflict. (Romans 12:17-21; James 1:2-4; Ephesians 4:25-32; I Peter)<\/p>\n

To the Christ-follower, you and I have the responsibility and blessing of believing the best about others. This is incredibly freeing, and gospel fulfilling!\u00a0 This is a part of living out the Good News of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

If you would like to know more about becoming a Christ-follower, see my post What is the G.O.S.P.E.L.?<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>[1] From Group\u2019s Volunteer Central website, \u00a0www.churchvolunteercentral.com\/cvdaily\/ever-believing-the-best<\/a>, Sue Brage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cLove\u2026is ever ready to believe the best of every person\u2026\u201d (1 Cor. 13:7)\u00a0Much conflict can be avoided by following this simple principle. 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