We thought it would be helpful to highlight a NHM tool, as sometimes it can easily be forgotten to continue to apply “the tools” in our everyday life. Continually using the tools as a lifestyle will help you in all areas – spiritually, relationally and sexually.
The tool we’d like to highlight is “Rules For Working Through Conflict”. Implementing this is so important, especially in marriage, as intimacy is always hindered when there are unresolved conflicts and hurts. When working through conflicts and hurts, it’s vital to truly understand one another, and this tool helps guide each person in this. (To learn more about this, see the Listening Exercise tool in your NHM Tool Booklet or NHM mobile app).
We encourage you to ask Holy Spirit to show you any unresolved conflicts in your marriage, family or friendships in the last month and implement the “Rules For Working Through Conflict“ tool. You’ll see that by using this tool, both parties will be left feeling heard, understood, closer and connected.
RULES FOR WORKING THROUGH CONFLICT
The following will work well when both parties are actively and willingly working towards understanding each other in a mutually respectful and honest relationship.
1. Attitude:
Approach the discussion with the attitude of, “I don’t have to win this argument and I don’t have to be the one who is right.”
Make the truth about yourself with respect to the issues and whatever is best for everyone concerned of paramount importance. Take the stance of committing yourselves to following these principles above anything that you feel or fear or desire.
Humble yourself enough to listen and learn from the person with whom you are in conflict. If you hear a good idea coming from the other person, then validate it!
2. The first person talks:
Don’t try to cover every aspect of the issue in one communication.
Don’t try to do a “sales job” on the other person.
Do give reasons why you believe that your ideas or opinions would be the best choice for everyone affected by them.
The longer you talk, the more complicated the discussion becomes. When many issues are raised at the same time, it can become confusing and overwhelming for the other person to choose which issues to respond to.
Also the longer you talk without a chance to hear from the other person when in conflict, the more likely you are to hit sensitive issues and stir up hurt, resentment, etc.
3. Listen:
Try to pay more attention to what the other person is saying rather than to what you are going to say in rebuttal.
Try to hear not only the words but the heart attitudes of the person talking.
4. The second person talks:
The first response should be questions or statements to clarify what you heard, just to be sure you understand correctly before responding.
The next step is to state the things that you can agree with that the first person has said and why you agree with them.
Only after these two steps is it okay to give your contrasting or opposing views and the reasons for them. When giving your opposing views, be sure to follow all of the guidelines listed in #2 above.
5. Resolution:
Continue the four steps above, going back and forth while maintaining the proper attitude. Give time to the process even though it may be tense and seem tedious.
Do not agree to decisions or conclusions that you don’t really believe in just to end the conflict, to make the other person feel better, or to try to prevent anger. You must continue talking respectfully and listening until both (or all involved) can come to the place where each can honestly say, “I can live with that,” or “I think that would be the best choice for us all.”
Honor your agreements by keeping them until or if a new agreement is made.
If you do this process well and still cannot come to a consensus, you may need a third party mediator or there may be individual issues that need attention first.
USER-FRIENDLY VERSION
Make sure you have mastered the five steps above before using this shortened, user-friendly version.
1. Attitude
• I don’t have to win or be right.
• Choose what is best for all concerned.
• Choose this above anything you feel, fear or desire.
• Humble yourself to listen and learn.
• Validate everything good you hear.
2. First Person Talks
• Be concise.
• Don’t cover everything.
• Don’t sell.
• Say why your idea is valid.
3. Second Person Listens
• Don’t just think about a rebuttal.
• Listen past their words to their heart.
4. Second Person Talks
• Clarify.
• State agreements.
• Share alternate views and why.
• (Remember to use guidelines from step one.)
5. Repeat these steps until there is mutual resolution.