Conflict with those you love

Let's face it--conflict causes stress, anxiety, and relationship troubles.  Conflict can affect your health, your family, and even your work performance.  Portland State University’s Institute on Aging studied over 650 adults over a two-year period and found that ‘stable negative social exchanges’ (in other words, repetitive or prolonged conflict) was significantly associated with lower self-rated health, greater functional limitations, and a higher number of health conditions. ( see www. stress.about.com and search for and article titled, "Conflict in Relationships" by Elizabeth Scott)

Conflict is stressful; but it doesn't have to be that way.  The next time you are in conflict with someone you love, LAUGH your way out.  Below are five suggestions for healthy conflict resolution using LAUGH as an acronym   Remember, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)

L - Listen well (Seek to hear, before you are heard)

A - Attend to emotions (Become proactive in dealing with the emotions of self and others)

U - Understand and respect - (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.)

G - Generate alternative solutions (Become an imaginative problem solver)

H - Honor God, others, and yourself (Pursue integrity and relational justice for all)

The next time you are in conflict, take a deep breath and LAUGH your way out of conflict.  You and the person with which you are in conflict will both be better off.  

Have a great day, Pastor Tom