God’s Key to Conflict: Forgiveness

Conflict is an unavoidable reality in every relationship because we are imperfect people with different experiences and perspectives interacting with other imperfect people.  The goal isn’t to avoid conflict entirely, but to learn how to navigate through it in healthy, God-honoring ways that lead to genuine resolution and healing.  Most people default to one of three ineffective responses when conflict arises.  Some choose to fight, responding aggressively and determined to prove they’re right while the other person is wrong.  Others choose flight, running away from difficult situations and relationships rather than working through problems.  The third common response is to freeze, shutting down emotionally and building protective walls that ultimately create isolation from meaningful relationships.  While these responses might provide temporary relief, none of them actually address the root of the problem or heal the underlying hurt.  God offers a fourth option that actually deals with the source of conflict: forgiveness.