Refurb Befurb You Leavurb
Trust me, talk about it
Thread
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down for what most would consider a tough, open conversation with a respected member of our community. We created space for honest dialogue, openly sharing our frustrations, pain points, and differing perspectives surrounding recent events between us. In the end, we walked away having exchanged apologies with a clearer understanding of how things unfolded and with the assumptions born of preconceived frustrations finally put to rest.
Thought
Few people see a hard conversation as an opportunity. Most avoid them, especially when there’s a chance they might be in the wrong. In today’s culture, the default response to hurt or offense is often to cut people off. For many millennials and Gen Z, “Bye Felicia” has become less a joke and more of a mantra.
On the other end of the spectrum, others love confrontation to a fault. They feel empowered and justified to prove another person wrong by pointing out their issues or even sin.
I believe there is a middle ground.
Theology
I get it…reconciliation isn’t easy. If it were, more people would be eager to resolve their conflicts. But here’s a simple rule of thumb for any situation: look at what the Bible says about it (I mean, you are reading a Christian-style post after all!). One helpful tip when reading Scripture is to pay close attention to who’s doing the talking. And when it comes to handling conflict, there’s no better voice to listen to than Jesus himself. So let’s take a look at what He had to say about navigating issues between people.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother.” — Matthew 18:15 ESV
Jesus understands that reconciliation is difficult, yet He reminds us it’s ultimately worth it, especially within the church context His words address. He doesn’t tell us to yell, scold, gossip, or blast others on social media. Instead, He simply tells us to go and talk to them like a “brother” or “sister” for the ladies.
Knowing this, we must not engage others with harsh words. Instead, we should invite the Holy Spirit into the conversation to guide our speech and actions. With His help, we’ll find that sharing our perspective shines far brighter than casting accusations.
In the end, mended bridges restore access to both sides. The landscape may change after the conversation, but the bridge remains for future connection.
Let this be your answer to: “should I make amends with _____”
What happens if your brother doesn’t listen? Well, that will be another Thread! Until next time.