Our country is currently embroiled in a time of intense political and cultural conflict, which is so painfully revealed in the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Each of us is can play one of three roles as we respond to these events. We can add fuel to the fire through harsh and judgmental words. We can retreat into silence and do nothing to lessen these tensions. Or, by God’s grace, we can become channels of reason, understanding and reconciliation.
The early Corinthian church faced similar challenges as they they sought to bring together men and women from diverse social, ethnic and cultural groups. This diversity triggered a multitude of conflicts, including disagreements over church leadership, spiritual gifts, marriage and divorce and dietary limitations. In his first letter to this church, the Apostle Paul addressed each of these conflicts. Then, at the end of chapter ten, he summarized his guidance with these words:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 10:31-11:1).
Paul’s teaching highlights the fact that every time God allows his dearly loved children to be in conflict, he is presenting us with three opportunities:
- Glorify God (draw attention to his marvelous goodness, power and redeeming grace)
- Serve other people (meet their legitimate interests and help them to grow closer to God)
- Grow to be like Christ (cooperate with God as he conforms us to the likeness of his Son)
These three opportunities are embedded in every conflict we face in life, including the intense political and cultural conflicts that divide our country and spill into our families, churches and places of work. I hope you will find the following resources to be of value as you seek to discern how you can live out these opportunities in your sphere of influence in the days ahead.
- ESPY Awards – Nelson Mandela shows how Nelson Mandela brought unity to South Africa after years of deadly Apartheid. This story inspires and moves me to tears every time I watch it. Please join me in praying that more and more of our political leaders will exercise this kind of wisdom and grace.
- Reagan, Lincoln, RW and You and Lincoln’s Relational Wisdom describe war-ending character qualities and relational skills that each of us can imitate and apply in the much smaller conflicts of our daily lives.
- Three Qualities that Improve Every Relationship describes character qualities and relational skills you can apply whenever you are involved in a disagreement with someone who sees a situation or the wider world differently than you do.
- Preserving Relationships in the Midst of Political Turmoil provides nuts-and-bolts steps you can take when engaging someone who views political developments the exact opposite of how you view them.
- Altruistic Emotional Intelligence includes a list of 138 short video clips you can watch with your children to inspire them to solve life’s challenges in ways that promote understanding, build bridges and strengthen relationships.
May God grant each one of us the wisdom and grace to see all conflict as an opportunity to glorify him, to serve other people and to grow to be more and more like Christ.
~ Ken Sande
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© 2025 Ken Sande
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