Dealing With Disagreements

a normal inevitable and even healthy aspect

of most relationships with friends, family, co-workers

and even romantic partners.

Anger is a natural, healthy important emotion

that can lead to growth.

One key is knowing how

to deal fairly with the

issue at hand.

The very closeness

and commitment

of a relationship (marriage)

seems to lead inevitably to

conflict – whether in

small matters or

major disputes.

COMMIT to reading

LEARN about ways to

improve COMMUNICATION.

No yelling

No interrupting

Be patient and persistent

The workplace, where we also invest so much of our lives,

can also be a hotbed of negativity and conflict.

Many people hate their jobs because of unpleasant

co-workers more than because of the work itself.

Being RESPECTFUL is

essential.

Avoid name-calling and put

downs.

Strive for mutual

understanding by continually

asking for clarification.

STUDY:

55% are estranged from at least one family member.

There is a high emotional price for

maintaining a NON-RELATIONSHIP.

Severed family ties cannot be replaced

by lovers, children, friends or work.

A part of your spirit remains buried.

We must believe resolution is possible.

Committing to resolution,

using established

guidelines, will put us on

the path to healing.

A willingness to forgive is

vital to the process.

When we forgive

others, we free not only

them, but also

ourselves.

This makes forgiving a

form of healthy

self-interest.

1. THINK through what you

want to resolve.

2. Don’t generalize. Avoid

using accusatory words: You always… You never…

3. Take time to cool off when

necessary.

4. Try to remain calm and try not to attack during a conflict. Remember your goal is to seek a mutually satisfying outcome.

5. Write down your concerns and share them in a letter.

6. Don’t hesitate to turn to professional intervention when necessary.

4:31-32

Finding peace of mind

begins with forgiving yourself

and the people in your past.

Forgiveness means letting go

of the hurt, pain, anger, and

fear that clutter your mind and

harden your heart.

These unhelpful

negative emotions

keep you from

being the best you can be.

They create doubts,

not dreams.

They break, not build.

When you are unable to find

forgiveness, a dark cloud

hovers over your life.

The sun’s healing rays can

only shine through once the

clouds part.

Only love and the forgiveness

you find as a result of opening

your heart will part the clouds

and lift the burden of the past.

No wind or outside force will

magically erase the pain of the

past.

Only faith,

love, and

forgiveness

will dull the pain of any

unpleasant memories still

harbored today.

To forgive unconditionally is

to forgive all —

yourself, parents, family,

friends, old loves, bosses,

co-workers, and others

you have met

along the way.

Ask to be forgiven and, at the same time,

forgive those who have hurt you.

Forgiveness unburdens your heart.

A heavy heart knows no peace.

Lighten your load and

lift your spirits by not only

asking for forgiveness,

but also, and equally importantly,

forgiving others for the hurt

they may have caused you.

Forgiveness asks you to be big,

to rise above

the smallest of holding grudges

and harboring animosity,

to be bigger than

the hard-hearted ways of others,

to be, in a sense, godly.

To forgive is divine.

Forgive yourself.

Forgive others.