Torch, Fall 1992

ur Attit de 1 - an9e t Excerpted from The Peacemaker by Ken Sande W hen someone has wronged you and you are still feeling frustrated or hurt, it is difficult to overlook the offense. It is even more difficult if you are overly sensitive to the wrongs of others and tend to dwell excessively on what they have done. One way to guard against this problem is to check your attitude in the light of God's Word. Paul's letter to the Philippians contains an excellent formula for examining one's attitudes during a conflict. Apparently Paul had heard that two friends in Philippi were having an argument. It must have been a significant one, because word of it had crossed the sea and reached Paul in prison. Therefore, as part of his open letter to the church at Philippi, Paul took the time to urge these two women to seek peace (Philippians 4:2-9).... Paul implicitly reminds the women that their conflict provides an opportunity to glorify God, to serve others, and to grow to be like Christ. He also emphasizes the importance of peace and unity in God's kingdom, and he says that Euodia and Syntyche should receive help from the church if they cannot resolve their dispute privately. Most importantly, he reminds them that God is intimately involved in their situation and able to help them resolve it. Paul.. .focuses on the steps they must take to develop a proper attitude toward their situation and toward each other. Paul has broken his instructions into five basic principles which you, too, can use whenever you are involved in a conflict.