Seed Sowing Works Wonders…

Biblical Principle of Resolving Conflict
“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:4-5 NLT).

When you meet someone to resolve a conflict, you first have to confess your part of the problem. Then, you need to listen for the other person is hurt and perspective.
We think we argue over ideas. But we actually argue over emotion. Anytime there is a conflict, someone’s feelings were hurt. Somebody felt abused. Somebody felt slighted. It is not the idea that causes conflict. It’s the emotion behind the idea.
Hurt people hurt people. The more people are hurting, the more they lash out at everybody else. People who are not hurting do not hurt others. People who are filled with love are loving toward others. People who are filled with joy are joyful to others. People who are filled with peace are at peace with everybody else. But people who are hurting inside are going to hurt others. They are going to lash out.
If you want to connect with people, you must start with their needs, their hurts, and their interests. If you want to be a good salesperson, you do not start with your product. You start with your customer’s need, hurts, and interests. If you want to be a good professor or pastor or anything else, you start with people’s needs, hurts, and interests.
Philippians 2:4-5 says, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (NLT).

Are you often so busy trying to get the people you’re in conflict with to see your position that you’re not listening to theirs? You’re too busy speaking and not listening, so you move further and further away.
You need to intentionally switch your focus from your needs to their needs. Conflict resolution starts with the way you look at the situation. The word “look” in Philippians 2:4 is the Greek word scoops. It’s where we get our words “microscope” and “telescope.”
Scoops means to focus. The next verse says your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ. You are most like Jesus when you’re focusing on the hurts of somebody else rather than your own.
There’s an old Proverb that says, “Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.” When you’re focused on the other person’s needs and not your own, you’ll be able to get a better understanding of the situation and move forward with resolving your conflict.

ONE OTHER THING

Excellent Women of Generosity
Four of our women teamed together to raise more than $4,000.00 to give a facelift to the children/youth sections of the church. They raised more than 60% of the cost. The church paid for the balance of the cost.
We thank them for their hearts of generosity. God will reward your labor of love.
We still have two major projects this year: playground equipment for our children and the replacement of two of our HVAC systems (Heat system).
A family, friends or group: Women or men or elders can team to handle either of these projects or both. Please let’s always think about what we can do to support the kingdom. There is always a reward: bountiful harvest will surely follow.

Remember, Haggai 1:2 says these people say, the time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built/beautified.
Verse 6 says for failure to build/beautify the house of God, you have planted much, but never have your fill… You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. That will not be our portion. Please let us be wise.
.