DAILY COGNISANCE:
Handling Conflict Gracefully – Matthew 18:15-17
Drama Message:
Setting: A break room at a workplace. Two colleagues, Rachel and Tom, are preparing for a team meeting. Tension is apparent as they sit on opposite sides of the table.
Rachel: (looking tense) Tom, can we talk about the project from yesterday?
Tom: (crossing his arms) Sure, but I think we need to address the elephant in the room first.
Rachel: (taken aback) The elephant?
Tom: (sighing) Yes, the way you criticized my ideas during the meeting. It felt personal, and I didn’t appreciate it.
Rachel: (defensively) I didn’t mean it to be personal! I was trying to be constructive, but it seems like we keep missing each other’s points.
Tom: (calming down) I get that, but it’s crucial for us to communicate better, especially in front of our team. I felt undermined.
Rachel: (nodding thoughtfully) You’re right. And honestly, I felt frustrated too. Can we find a better way to handle these disagreements?
Tom: (sitting forward) That reminds me of something I heard from Matthew 18:15-17. It talks about addressing conflicts directly but with grace: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
Rachel: (curious) How does that apply to us?
Tom: Think of it this way: if we approach each other directly, one-on-one, rather than letting things fester or gossiping, we give ourselves a chance to resolve our issues before they escalate.
Rachel: (smiling slightly) That makes sense. If I’d come to you right after the meeting, we might have avoided this tension.
Tom: Exactly! And if there’s no resolution, we could bring in a third party, like our supervisor, to help mediate. It’s not about blame; it’s about understanding.
Rachel: (nodding) I like that approach. We’re a team, after all. It’s important to keep our communication open and respectful.
Tom: (smiling) Absolutely! So, let’s be committed to this moving forward. Maybe after our meeting, we can check in regularly to discuss our thoughts about the project.
Rachel: (brightening) I’d love that! Let’s create an environment where we can share ideas without fear of criticism.
Tom: (grinning) Agreed! Here’s to grace-filled conversations.
(They high-five, and the atmosphere in the room lightens as they prepare for the meeting together.)
Conclusion:Narrator (voiceover): Conflict is a part of life, but how we handle it makes all the difference. By addressing issues directly and with grace, we foster understanding and unity.
Embrace open communication, and remember—resolution begins with humility and love.
Saturday May 24th, 2025.
For feedback: dailycognisance@livenewlife.org