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Embracing Conflict
Brian Mashburn
November 19, 2017
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Embracing Conflict
When you ask people if they want to mature, almost all say they do. When you ask those same people if they want to experience conflict, almost all say they do not. The truth is you cannot do the first without the second.
Properly understood, all growth and maturing comes through conflict of some sort. Sometimes it is major, one-time, macro-conflict, and sometimes its small, daily, mirco-conflicts. No one gets through life without them, rarely even a day. If we view conflict as a teacher, we grow. If not, well… we don't.
A phrase I commonly hear is, "I hate conflict. I'm the kind of person who will do anything to avoid it." This should be seen as an overt confession of immaturity, and a dangerous commitment that secures spiritual non-movement. Their body may age another year, but it won't be long before they feel spiritually cold and stagnant. Confusion and disorientation makes them wonder, "why do I feel so far from God?" They will look everywhere else, wearing themselves out with more Bible study, prayer, good works, and counselling, constantly wondering why they feel so stuck and listless. I end many of these conversations with, "You can have what you want, or you can avoid this conflict, but you can't do both." I know this, by the way, because I've done this. I still do this.
Conflict exists whenever there is a desire, and then an obstacle to that desire. This teacher is everywhere.
For those who are concerned about their hair not getting messed up, strong winds are an enemy, but to the sailor, strong winds are useful, getting them where they are going. Concerning conflict, Christians are to be sailors.
Today, we meet and consider our teacher Conflict.