I've learned a lot in the last 2 weeks about conflict and how to get through it while still glorifying God. First of all, the background. A couple weeks ago a dear sister in Christ said some things that hurt me and I took them personally. Instead of talking to her about it I chose to try to overlook the offense, which in hindsight wasn't the best idea. I should have calmly talked to her letting her know how her words had wounded me.
A couple days after the "offense" she asked to speak with me and I went into that interaction on the defense assuming she was going to hurt me again. That resulted in more hurt being done, this time on my end. I spoke harshly to her and she understandably retreated from the situation.
After meeting with her, my dear husband, and some mutual friends present as mediators we have fully resolved the issue, forgiven each other, and are moving forward in love.
So, what did I learn?
A couple days after the "offense" she asked to speak with me and I went into that interaction on the defense assuming she was going to hurt me again. That resulted in more hurt being done, this time on my end. I spoke harshly to her and she understandably retreated from the situation.
After meeting with her, my dear husband, and some mutual friends present as mediators we have fully resolved the issue, forgiven each other, and are moving forward in love.
So, what did I learn?
- There's a time to overlook an offense and there's a time to let a person know that you've been hurt.
- Instead of going into a discussion on the defensive, I need to approach that time in humility and a manner of giving grace.
- In this instance, I was a life-taker and trying to hurt her in retaliation for how she hurt me. That was the worst thing I did.
- Never assume that what I've heard is true. Some of the hurt I experienced was because a friend told me something I later found out to be untrue.