Confrontation

Confrontation: Can we do it in a godly manner?

I was in prayer, considering what to do with a situation I thought needed confrontation.

When I saw a beach scene that was horribly wrong. An ocean wave roared upward and froze. Then, what looked like a wave of sand surged skyward, battling against the ocean wave, and then it also froze. Both sides locked together, creating a frozen, impenetrable area. There was no longer a beautiful flow between the sandy beach and the ocean. It was now a frozen impasse.

It was easily understandable that this frozen scene was the Lord explaining what it’s like when two people are in conflict and frozen in their ideas about how they view the situation. Unable to see the other persons' needs or point of view. The question then became what do we do to not stay frozen?

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Confrontation. Can we do it in a godly fashion?

What is my heart’s intent?

This is the question we should ask ourselves before going to talk to someone.

We should put a pause on confronting the person until our primary intent is to connect with them and reach a mutually beneficial understanding. Our desire to confront should have nothing to do with proving we are right. But rather we should desire to shine a light on what happened from our own perspective while respectfully listening to theirs. In order to come to an agreement. There should be no desire for humiliation or retaliation or any other tactics from the enemy’s camp. Instead, only understanding and exchange of ideas with an objective description of what occurred.

But how in the world do we do all that?

• Especially when we are hurt.

• Especially when we know we are right.

• Especially when we are offended.

I then humbled myself and asked, “How do I melt the ocean?”

“You need to see them how I see them. Understand that everyone is growing, including you. Foster a deep desire for them to reach the fullness of what I have for them. You must pray with a prayer warrior and not gossip about the situation. Pray to call forth My specific blessings for them.”

If you can’t pray in such a manner, ask the Lord to change your heart until you can pray blessings over them. In my current situation, a full week needed to pass until I had prayed, and God changed my heart regarding the circumstances. Prayers appreciated.

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Rom. 12:16-18, ESV).

YOU CAN. Love the person without having to approve of what they did, knowing that the Lord is more than capable of helping them to grow into who God designed them to be.

I believe in your ability to love others, but we all need prayer to carry out godly conversations with other believers and the world.

Prayer for you and me, Lord, sanctify our hearts so that we can see people how you see them. Help us call forth the destiny you have designed for them. Let us let go of silly disputes and help us refuse offense. We need You. In Jesus’ name.