Week 4-WED

Day 18 – Handling Conflict

Verses:

Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” 

Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Lesson: Conflict is an inevitable part of life, and it’s especially common in a household full of different personalities. As Christian fathers, we have the crucial role of modeling and teaching our children how to navigate disagreement, frustration, and hurt feelings. Our goal isn't to eliminate conflict, but to equip them to handle it in a godly way, one that requires the courage to confront the issue and the grace to forgive. This means teaching them to address a problem directly, without passive aggression or avoidance, and then working toward a resolution that restores the relationship, demonstrating that reconciliation is always more important than being "right."

Reflection: Ask yourself: “Am I quick to confront minor issues in a loving way, or do I let them slide until I explode?” Your children will learn to avoid conflict if you model either silence or rage. Identify one recent conflict you witnessed or experienced with your child. Did you or they have the courage to address the core issue honestly? Commit to walking them through the Parcells method next time: first, courageously confront the truth of the problem, and second, lovingly forgive to clear the air and restore the relationship.

Insight:  Legendary football coach Bill Parcells understood that leaving problems unresolved is fatal to a team, which is why he firmly believed that “confrontation is healthy, because it clears the air very quickly.” He recognized that ignoring a problem by stuffing it down or talking behind someone's back is more harmful than an honest, respectful discussion. This applies directly to the family: grudges and unresolved resentments are what divide the family "team." If you let your kids' small spat over their phone fester, you’re basically running a team meeting where everyone secretly hates the kicker. Coach Parcells warned, “A team divided against itself can break down at any moment.” So, Dad, next time you see that passive-aggressive sigh, remember Parcells. Get the issue out in the open, clear the air, and restore the peace. It's the only way to avoid a full family meltdown during holiday travel.

Family Mantra: “A little rain today, keeps the hurricanes away.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the ultimate Peacemaker. Give me the courage to confront sin and conflict in my family with a spirit of love, not anger. Teach my children that honesty and directness are necessary for resolution, and fill their hearts with the grace to forgive, just as You, through Christ, have so generously forgiven us. Help our family become stronger through every challenge. Amen.