How do you handle Conflict
O LORD my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me, (Psalm 7:1), Lest they tear me like a lion. Rendering me in pieces, while there is none to deliver. (Psalm 7:1-2), Psalm 7
Arguments can cause pain, especially when we feel misunderstood or wrongly accused. I’m sure many of us can certainly relate to the pain and sense of betrayal this may cause. If someone speaks untruths about us, it seems as though salt has been poured onto an already open wound. A typical first reaction is self-defense and an attempt to claim our rights, yet God’s Word teaches a different approach.
Contrary to our natural inclinations, the proper response to criticism and conflicts is humility. In (Psalm 7), David laments being persecuted but immediately asks the Lord to test his own heart and reveal if he has done anything wrong. Then, instead of taking matters into his own hands, he asks the Lord to vindicate him.
Romans 12:19, reminds us never to take our own revenge, but rather to leave vengeance to God. As the verse in (Psalm 7:21), tells us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”. In other words, we must leave the situation in the capable hands of God and trust Him to vindicate us in His time and way. Though not always easy to do…It’s the best thing to do. We many be thinking, why? I have rights… But we must remember that Obedience to God and His Word always brings blessings.
We might also ask ourselves, Am I willing to check my own motives before pointing a finger or becoming defensive? Jesus said we’re to bless those who curse us (Luke 6:28), So let’s ask Him for the grace and humility to exam our own hearts and trust Him to be your defender.
REFLECT: Have you ever been falsely accused or so badly hurt that you wanted to take matters into your own hands? David wrote Psalm 7, in response to the slanderous accusations of those who claimed he was trying to kill Saul and seize the throne (1Samuel 24:9-11), Instead of taking matters into his own hands by striking back; David cried out to God for justice. The proper response to slander is prayer, not revenge, because God says, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back” (Romans 12:19; see also Deuteronomy 32:35,36.
Be Encouraged Today!
Remember that God will execute final justice, although it may not be during our timeline or lifetime.
