Real (Relational) Courage – In Conflict

Conflict always reminds us of courage; and that, courage to remain unflustered so we can present the uttermost truth to the situation as it presents.

Truth too often gets left behind in conflict. The emotions get the better of us and we’re halfway to that ‘way-off-track’ destination before we even reconcile the lack of sense about it.

Real courage under fire is the vehicle to truth—it abides to truth, sticking to it as a close friend would in adversity. The courage-bolstered truth protects the person on the other end of the telephone line, or five feet away, as we love beyond ourselves.

The Benefits of this Form of Courage – Relational Safety

In conflicts, as the emotions are left unchecked and we skirt the needed courage, we malign others quicker than look at them. We often only realise this later, if we’re even aware.

The courage of tackling and reconciling our feelings in the moment of conflict—scaling the emotional register—is safety for all parties.

It’s a safety to carry with us at all times if we’ll only be aware, and committed then to act on the instinct God’s Spirit is calling us to.

We need never ‘argue’ again if we ‘put on’ this courage to reconcile our feelings, having the courage to conform to truth and protect the other person and not only ourselves.

Imagine friendship with this sense of inbuilt safety. It would be invincible.

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.