Are you ever caught up in family or friend disagreements? What can you do to reconcile relationships? I recently read The Peacemaker by Ken Sande that gives some insight. This is a book for anyone who is willing to be the peacemaker in their own relationships or to help others in resolving conflict. Sande gives biblical guidance to deal with issues in a way that promotes peace and helps restore broken relationships. Among other issues, he discusses:
-How to use conflict as an opportunity to please and honor God
-The importance of Christian conciliation
-Why Christians should resolve disputes in church and not in court
-When and how to assert your rights
-How to confess wrongs honestly and effectively
-How to change attitudes and habits that lead to conflict
-When it is appropriate to confront others regarding sinful behavior
-How to confront others in an effective manner
-When and how to forgive others and to achieve genuine reconciliation
-How to negotiate just and reasonable arguments
-How to deal with people who refuse to be reasonable
See a current situation in the list? I wish I had read The Peacemaker for a particular friendship conflict fifteen years ago. I struggled. Are you? I encourage you to read The Peacemaker. If you go to Peacemaker Ministries website (here), you can download the first chapter free. I listened to part of the audio book as I walked on the treadmill.
