There are many conflicts that require a lot of time and effort to resolve. But there are far more that can be resolved simply by overlooking minor offenses or relinquishing rights for the sake of God's kingdom. Therefore, before focusing on your rights, take a careful look at your responsibilities. Before you go to remove the speck from your brother's eye, ask yourself, "Is this really worth fighting over?"
Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 98
Food for Thought
Reflect on this last week and notice the times when a spirit of entitlement rose up in your heart. What is it you really thought you deserved?
There was once a conference leader speaking to a group of pastors. He was sharing how important it was for a church to have a spirit of grace throughout all it does. He posed this question: "What do you think is the most significant threat to that spirit of grace?" Several answers were given, all of them valid. Then someone asked him, "What do you think?" He answered, "A spirit of entitlement."
A lot of conflicts can be resolved by relinquishing rights for the sake of God's kingdom; in other words, setting the spirit of entitlement aside. Ken's right: before focusing on your rights, take a careful look at your responsibilities.
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