2026-11-13
Good morning, Dear Ones,
This week, the Holy Spirit directs me to write about healing the breach in this series about conflict resolution. People in the middle of an argument are often impatient, either to get their point across or to change the subject. In order to heal the breach, one must wait until both parties have calmed down emotionally. It’s like driving right into a tornado to try to deal with healing while emotions are high. Time is required to think. That is where ways to compromise or come up with a solution to the problem are made available. Calming down emotions is essential. It’s also important to choose words that won’t further inflame the situation. EPH 4: 29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, buy only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Communication to benefit the listener is very important, and that can’t be done when emotions are high.
Choosing words carefully makes a big difference. PR 15: 4, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” No one should keep fueling the flames by saying things designed to defeat the other person. Life is too short for this kind of meanness and foolishness. In either coming to a compromise or settling the disagreement peaceably there should be honesty and openness without the destruction of one’s spirit. Sometimes, depending on the situation, it’s better to say nothing (particularly if there is nothing constructive to say) and allow emotions to die down. Issues that are long-standing between the parties to a conflict; it often means that grudges have been held. The Lord wants us to be forgiving, if at all possible. Remember PS 32: 1, “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” COL 3: 13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. For as the Lord forgave you.”
There are some people who are toxic, and we’ve all encountered people like this in our earthly lives. They are the kind with whom one can never find a solution to their attitudes and behavior. Rather than arguing with a toxic person, it is sometimes best to put distance between him and yourself. However, we should be forgiving and understanding toward the thought of them. The Lord Jesus tells us, in MT 5: 44-45a, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” With the others, consider EPH 4: 14-15, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” We are intended by God to be genuine and authentic in what we say and do.
PR 16: 24, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Being authentic in what we say avoids appearing to be right and leading to spiritual death in the end. It kind words said genuinely at a carefully chosen time and not in the heat of an argument can help to heal the breach. Emotional intelligence in a difficult situation is something for which we can pray. God always welcomes us to the “shadow under His wings” –one on One in the privacy of our prayers. We can pray PS 17: 6-9, “I call on You, my God, for You will answer me: turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of Your great love, You Who saves by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from mortal enemies who surround me.”
PRAYER: O Dearest Father, all humans sometimes find themselves in a conflict and need to deal with it. Taking the wisdom of Your advice is a huge help at such times as these. You have reminded us, in JN 15: 5, “I am the Vine, and you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” It is at times when we need to heal the breach in a conflict that we need You with every part of our being. We are making the choice to appeal to You for Your wisdom, which is so much greater than ours. We thank and praise You for listening to our prayers, for loving us so much, and for the wisdom we can find in the Scriptures You so generously have given us. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit commands me to discuss managing what you are feeling in a conflict next week. In the meanwhile, mull over COL 4: 6, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everything.” That is the kind of advice that will help avoid conflicts in the first place. Our Lord wants us to visit Him “under the shadow of His wings” as often as possible. PS 91: 1-2, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God in Whom I trust.” Verses 3-4 of PS 91 are well worth reading too. Our God deserves our praise and thanksgiving forever!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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