Confrontation
This is a word that carries a lot of negative vibes with it. It is really a dispute that is handled directly between opposing side. It can be on a small scale such as a disagreement on color choice or a confrontation can be between two nations and lead to a war. When confrontation becomes a war of words, it appears that both sides have lost. Confrontation can be healthy when carried out correctly.
In the book of Job, his friends confronted him over his perspective of his personal suffering. They had differing opinions for sure. This last “friend” was younger, but he comes out swinging with his words. Check this out….
6 Look, you and I both belong to God.
I, too, was formed from clay.
7 So you don’t need to be afraid of me.
I won’t come down hard on you.
8 “You have spoken in my hearing,
and I have heard your very words.
9 You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin;
I am innocent; I have no guilt.
10 God is picking a quarrel with me,
and he considers me his enemy.
11 He puts my feet in the stocks
and watches my every move.’
12 “But you are wrong, and I will show you why.
For God is greater than any human being. (Job 33:6-12 NLT)
Confrontation can be healthy.
Confrontation can be hard.
Confrontation can be hateful.
There are some people who simply hate confrontation and will avoid it at all costs. This can be disastrous as there always seems to be people who will take advantage of a “non-confrontational” person. I think it takes courage to confront. It takes time to confront. It is risky to confront.
I don’t consider myself a “confrontational person”, but I’ve learned too not be afraid of it. There are some people who are constantly confronting because they enjoy the fight. They are negative by nature and love to operate in “attack mode”. They often prey on people who are non-confrontational. Disagreements do not have to be confrontational. In fact, there are times when understanding can come when I try to understand the disagreement from another person’s perspective.
Confrontation doesn’t have to be negative.
Confrontation can be helpful.
I’m working hard at understanding people who see things differently than me. I wish we could all be more patient and understanding with one another.
Pressing On!
Dwayne