Conflict: Prove or Improve?

Proverbs 31 Ministries had a good devotion this morning about conflict. The link is below and it's title was, "The Good Side of Conflict" by Lysa TerKeurst.
http://www.proverbs31.org/devotions/good-side-conflict-2012-08/

Lysa writes, "So, what's this crucial question? Am I trying to prove or improve? In other words, is my desire in this conflict to prove that I am right or to improve the relationship at hand?"

Wow! If I could remember that question every time my heart starts to pound and my temperature starts to rise! Seems to be for me, when I face conflict the primary thing on my mind is winning...proving. Of course, I'm right and they are wrong! In a calm moment, I realize how futile and false this way of thinking is - well, sometimes I realize it.

I also know that I am inclined to give the benefit of the doubt to friends or those in authority over me and much less consideration to others...oh say, my husband (even though God gives him authority over me in many ways!), my kids and people whom which I seem to have very little in common.

God desires so much more for us than getting caught up in proving ourselves. That's the last thing Christ did. Jesus' goal was not to prove he was right, but to improve our relationship with God. I know giving up on "being right" in my moments of conflict would improve more than just one relationship in my life. What about you?
~Tiffany


Colossians 3:12-14
¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." Ephesians 4:26