Holding the Line (The Good Fight)

A verse in the Bible talks about “the good fight of faith.” There's depth to this phrase in these carefully chosen words.

Keeping the faith is a fight. The minute we determine we’re going to have faith about something, obstacles start to pop up everywhere, and all manner of hindrances seem to appear – shaking our conviction. We quickly learn it won’t be an easy task.

 

I like that the phrase says its’ a good fight – one that is worthy of our efforts. Maintaining our faith is right, valuable, and honorable.

When “faith” is preceded by these adjectives, it becomes a dynamic word, infused with boldness and passion.

We don’t typically connect the good fight of faith with conflict – especially if we tend to avoid it.

Wanting to change the status quo of your conflict conversations, or address patterns in your relationships that don’t work any more, can cause you to anticipate some level of conflict. Faith is what gets you over the hurdle.

Ending something you don’t want, in order to bring about something you do want, takes faith – faith that what you want is worthwhile; faith that you can build something different.

The well-known peacebuilder, John Paul Lederach, offers this thought:

“Conflict also creates life: through conflict we respond, innovate and change. Conflict can be the motor of change which keeps relationships . . . dynamically responsive to human needs. . .”

It’s not very natural to think of conflict as an agent of the changes we desire; yet, Lederach suggests precisely that.

Consider this today. See yourself interacting with others in your relationships in ways that are attainable, and hold on to your faith. The difficult discussions that result from your choice to make a change are evidence that you are, in fact, bringing it about.

Fight the good fight of faith.

DrK

If you'd like to know more about how to have faith in conflict, contact me at confidentconflict.com for a complimentary conversation! "12 Ways to Rule in Conflict" Free Download